Key keywords: 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, Costa Rica U-20 men's national team, USA U-20 men's national team, U-20 Championship semi-final, FIFA U-20 World Cup qualification, U-20 Championship Final berth, CONCACAF youth football, international U-20 soccer The 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship is set to host its most anticipated semi-final fixture to date, as regional football powerhouses Costa Rica and the United States face off on June 14 at Santo Domingo’s Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, with a spot in the tournament final and an automatic berth to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile on the line for both squads. Both sides have entered the final four undefeated across their group stage and knockout runs, highlighting the elite level of youth talent competing in this year’s tournament. Costa Rica navigated Group B with three wins and one draw, outscoring opponents 8-2 before pulling off a stunning 2-1 upset over defending CONCACAF U-20 champions Mexico in the quarter-final round. Match-winning forward Brandon Aguilera, who spent the 2023-2024 season on loan at Nottingham Forest’s youth academy in the English Premier League, scored the 87th-minute decider against Mexico to secure the Ticos’ semi-final spot. Costa Rica’s success has been driven by a tightly organized defensive structure, clinical counter-attacking play, and standout performances from midfield playmaker Jorkaeff Azofeifa, who leads the squad with 4 assists across 5 matches so far. The United States, meanwhile, dominated Group A with four consecutive comprehensive wins, outscoring opponents 17-1 before securing a 3-1 quarter-final victory over regional rival Canada. The US squad boasts one of the deepest talent pools in the entire competition, headlined by winger Kevin Paredes, who has already made 12 senior appearances for German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, and creative midfielder Diego Luna, the 2023 USL Championship Young Player of the Year. The American side’s signature high-pressing, possession-focused style has overwhelmed most opponents to date, with the team averaging 62% ball possession across all their tournament fixtures. Historical head-to-head records favor the US, who have won 3 of the last 5 U-20 matchups against Costa Rica, including a 3-0 group stage win at the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. However, Costa Rica claimed a 1-0 win in their most recent U-20 friendly against the US in early 2024, giving the Ticos clear confidence they can compete with the heavily favored American side. Tournament officials have confirmed all 27,000 available tickets for the semi-final have sold out, with thousands of traveling fans from both nations expected to attend alongside local Dominican supporters. The winner will advance to the June 16 final against either host nation Dominican Republic or Honduras, while the loser will still have a chance to qualify for the U-20 World Cup via the third-place playoff held the same day.