Under the bright Argentinian sun, it was the rising star known as Moon Boy that changed the game for the U.S. U-20 men's national team.
Diego Luna came off the bench to help the U.S. finally break down a pesky Fiji defense with a goal in the 66th minute. He was joined on the scoresheet by Cade Cowell and Caleb Wiley, as the U.S. overcame a poor start to ultimately seal the 3-0 win they expected to earn.
The triumph over Fiji is the U.S. team's second in as many games at the World Cup, sealing their place in the knockout rounds. It didn't come easy, though, even if many thought it would. Fiji were blown out 4-0 by Slovakia in their opener, but they were better here. Their defense was somewhat stout, but they were also aided by a very wasteful U.S. performance.
A total of 16 shots failed to find the net before the 17th, Luna's effort, finally made the difference. In total, the U.S. fired 31 shots to Fiji's six , but only seven were on target. Fiji were very much in it for large stretches and it took goals from Cowell and Wiley after the 88th minute to truly seal the result.
It was an attacking performance that will raise some alarm bells for Mikey Varas, but there will also be little reason to panic given the rotations made by the U.S. head coach.
In the end, it was a win; a somewhat ugly win, but a win nonetheless. Up next is a match against Slovakia, but the U.S. will be looking ahead to the knockouts now.
GOAL rates the Star and Stripes players from the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.