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USMNT Vs Costa Rica: 3 things we learned – Welcome, Ulysses Llanez

By Adnan Bašić

CARSON, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Ulysses Llanez #19 of the United States shows his love to the fans after scoring a goal against Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Ulysses Llanez #19 of the United States shows his love to the fans after scoring a goal against Costa Rica at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 01: United States forward Ulysses Llanez (19) dribbles the ball during an international friendly soccer match against Costa Rica on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 01: United States forward Ulysses Llanez (19) dribbles the ball during an international friendly soccer match against Costa Rica on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Llanez takes his chance

All eyes were on 18-year-old Ulysses Llanez going into the contest. He did not let fans down, making the most of his first-team debut. Playing on the left-wing, the Wolfsburg academy product got on the ball early and often, serving as the team’s main creative outlet.

Some would have expected him to be a bit timid in his first-ever appearance for the U.S. senior team, but that wasn’t what happened. Llanez made sure his first touches were clean, which allowed him to grow in confidence as the game went on.

He wasn’t able to showcase all of his attacking ability, struggling to find time and space to rip off a shot or play a killer pass in the final third, but it was definitely a solid performance to start his USMNT career.

Llanez was able to cap off his debut with a goal, stepping up to convert a penalty in the 50th minute, which eventually proved to be the game-winner. He was the calmest man in the stadium, cooly slotting home after sending the opposing goalkeeper the wrong way.

Next. USMNT: Best XI for 2020. dark

For now, this was a superb showing from the young prospect. And supporters will just hope this is the first of many strong showings from Llanez in a USMNT kit.

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