Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil scored a goal in 79 minutes of action for the U.S. U-20's on Monday, burying a penalty kick in the third minute of the U.S.'s 2-1 CONCACAF U-20 Championship win over Haiti in Puebla, Mexico.
U.S. forward Daniel Cuevas started the play that led to Gil's goal, intercepting a Haiti pass deep in the American half and racing 75 yards to goal before being dragged down just inside the area. Gil finished the spot kick, sending Haiti goalkeeper Ronald Elusma the wrong way for the 1-0 lead.
Gil nearly added a second goal in the 17th minute, when he headed a corner kick wide from six yards out.
The 19-year-old Gil played a role in the U.S.'s second goal, slipping forward Mario Rodriguez through for a cross to the back post that Cuevas buried in the 26th.
Gil had one other chance late in the first half. Cuevas again created the opportunity, getting to the endline before cutting the ball back to an open Gil to the right of the penalty spot. He looked poised to add a second, but the ball took a big hop at the last moment and Gil hit his shot off shin and well over the bar.
Gil was subbed off in the 79th minute for Jerome Kisewetter. The U.S. U-20's face Costa Rica in the Group A finale on Friday at 4:30 MT. The Americans will advance to the CONCACAF U-20 Championship Quarterfinals with a draw against Los Ticos. The top four teams in the 12 squad tournament will advance to this summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
