Gedion Zelalem earns first US start: USA knock Colombia out of Fifa U-20 World Cup

June 10, 2015

Gedion Zelalem of USA beats the challenge of Andres Tello of Colombia during the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 Round of 16 match between USA and Colombia at Wellington Regional Stadium on June 10, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Getty Image

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A lot of American soccer fans got very excited when Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem switched his national team allegiance from Germany to the United States. Zelalem, 18, was born in Germany but moved with his family to Bethesda, Maryland in 2006.

Zelalem is a highly touted prospect, and his display in the United States’ opening 4-0 dismantling of host New Zealand in the FIFA U-20 World Cup did nothing to temper expectations.

The United States U-20 national team won an elimination game at the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time since 2007 early Wednesday morning, edging Colombia 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals.

Source: USA TODAY and MLS