Joe Gallardo headed in a cross from Christian Pulisic and the U.S. U15 Boys National Team marched onto the semifinals of the Copa Mexico de Naciones with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

The U.S. punished the Costa Rica defense after the center back and captain was shown a red card for his second yellow card infringement of the game early in the second half. Gallardo broke free of the defense and placed his shot into the upper corner of the net for the game-winner, and his fifth goal of the event.

U.S. goalkeeper Kevin Silva had another stellar outing; as the PDA keeper stopped a penalty kick early in the second half on the way to the shutout in net. Silva has been a breakout star of the event for the U.S. coming up with timely saves time and again.

The U.S. backline, which was short handed, was hardly tested on the day though, as the midfield controlled the game and shut down the Costa Rica attack. Regular starting center back Daniel Barbir sat out the quarterfinal fixture due to yellow card accumulation. He is expected to be back in the lineup for the semifinal.

The U.S. will meet Uruguay in the Semifinal on Friday. The South American side advanced past fellow CONEMBOL competitors Colombia on Wednesday in penalty kicks after a wild 3-3 draw. Colombia stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first half before Uruguay answered with three goals of its own in the second half.

U.S. beat Uruguay 3-1 on Monday in group play. 

U.S. U15 BNT Lineup vs Costa Rica:

Kevin Silva; Tyler Adams, Alexis Velela, Hugo Arellano, Edwin Lara; Eric Calvillo, Logan Panchot (Haji Wright 44’), Alejandro Zendejas; Joshua Perez, Joe Gallardo, Christian Pulisic

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