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USYMNT U18s Win 2025 UEFA U18 Friendship Cup

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USYMNT U18s Win 2025 UEFA U18 Friendship Cup

The U.S. Men’s U18 National Team (USYMNT U18s) triumphed in the 2025 UEFA U18 Friendship Cup, clinching first place under the guidance of former Philadelphia Union II head coach, Marlon LeBlanc. The tournament, held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, from May 31st to June 10th, saw the USYMNT U18s showcase their remarkable skill and determination. LeBlanc’s side, who also took the top spot in a tournament on Spain’s Costa del Sol in March, solidified their dominance on the European youth soccer stage.

Tournament Overview

Eight under-18 national teams from across the globe participated, representing five of the world’s six football confederations. The only exception was the Oceania Football Confederation, which did not have a team in the cup. The competing teams included Argentina, Japan, Australia, Portugal, France, Senegal, the USA, and Uruguay, with each nation vying for supremacy in a group-stage format followed by placement matches.

The competition’s structure was designed with four rounds of group play, where teams faced off in round-robin play, followed by placement games based on their standings. The groups were divided as follows:

Group A:

  • USA

  • France

  • Argentina

  • Australia

Group B:

  • Portugal

  • Senegal

  • Japan

  • Uruguay

Group Stage Results

The USYMNT U18s demonstrated impressive performances across their group-stage matches, securing top spots in Group A with consistent victories. Here are some highlights from the opening rounds:

Group A Results:

  • USA vs France: USA won 2-2 (5-4 in penalties)

  • USA vs Argentina: USA won 2-0

  • USA vs Australia: USA won 3-2

The USYMNT U18s finished with a perfect record in their group, earning a total of 8 points from their three games. France, despite a strong showing, finished second in the group with 5 points.

Group B Results:

  • Senegal vs Portugal: Senegal won 4-0

  • Senegal vs Japan: Senegal won 3-0

  • Portugal vs Japan: Portugal drew 3-3 (1-3 in penalties)

Senegal topped Group B with an impressive 5 points, while Portugal finished second with 4 points. Japan secured third place in the group with 3 points.

Placement Matches and Final Results

The final placements were determined after intense placement matches, where the top teams from each group faced off. In the final match, the USYMNT U18s secured a 3-0 victory against France, ensuring they finished in first place, while Portugal triumphed over Japan to claim second.

Final Table:

  1. USA – 1st Place (Winner)

  2. Portugal – 2nd Place

  3. France – 3rd Place

  4. Japan – 4th Place

  5. Senegal – 5th Place

  6. Argentina – 6th Place

  7. Australia – 7th Place

  8. Uruguay – 8th Place

Key Takeaways

Marlon LeBlanc’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the USYMNT U18s to their historic victory. Under his direction, the team demonstrated a blend of strategic skill and resilience, showcasing the bright future of U.S. soccer at the youth level. The U18 squad’s victory in the 2025 UEFA U18 Friendship Cup adds another remarkable chapter to the growing legacy of American soccer on the international stage.

With a well-balanced mix of offensive power and defensive stability, the USYMNT U18s are now firmly positioned to make an impact in future international tournaments, as LeBlanc continues to develop the next generation of U.S. soccer talent.

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