Watching on as a substitute makes a game-changing impact is up there with one of the best feelings a coach can have. Seeing three substitutes do it is almost unheard of.
That was the unique hat-trick USA coach Marko Mitrovic claimed, as a late flurry of goals – all involving at least one substitute – saw his side power beyond France to book their place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ knockout stages.
With the score goalless, Luke Brennan, who came on in the 74th minute, raced down the right and crossed for Zavier Gozo, a 62nd-minute introduction, to head in the opener with five to play. Three minutes later, Gozo received the ball outside the area and fed Brooklyn Raines to double the lead. Added gloss came in stoppage time, as Brennan once again squared for Gozo who hit the bar, but Marcos Zambrano – who came on alongside the winger – smashed in the third.
“I feel like we prepare ourselves for these high-pressure moments,” Gozo, who was named Player of the Match, told FIFA. “I feel like this is testament to how hard we work. He [Mitrovic] just told me to do what we’ve been doing. I feel like every single player on this team is prepared to make an impact, so he just told me to come and make an impact, and that’s what I did.”
Placing trust in the whole squad to be a difference-maker at these finals was a sentiment shared by Zambrano.
“We have 21 players and each and every one of us can start the game,” he said. “I’m so happy right now. Three big points against a very, very difficult team. We knew that we could beat France; we can beat anybody, anywhere, anytime.”
Both Gozo and Zambrano started in USA’s 9-1 win over New Caledonia on matchday one, but Brennan’s 16-minute cameo marked his first minutes at these finals. After biding his time, he knew he had to make an impact.
“I’m actually thrilled to come on and change the game and get the victory,” the gleaming 20-year-old said. “I mean, honestly, these being my first minutes was kind of upsetting for me, but to come on and get in a switch with my boy Gozo, it means a lot. It was big.”
While USA are now assured of advancing in at least third place, they know a point against South Africa in their final Rancagua rumble will rubber-stamp top spot.
“Yeah, this definitely gives us confidence that we can win that game,” Gozo continued. I feel like we back ourselves against anybody.”
“This game meant a lot,” Brennan added. “I think it’s going to help us a lot in the later stages but we take every game, game-by-game. So yeah, we’re just looking to the next one.”
