Denys Popov scored on a header off a corner kick in the 51st minute, and Ukraine beat the United States 2-1 Friday at Bielsko Biala, Poland, in the Americans' opener at the Under-20 World Cup.
Serhii Buletsa put Ukraine ahead in the 26th minute. Heorhii Tsitaishvili played a long pass from before the midfield stripe to Buletsa. Defender Sergino Best went up with Buletsa but didn't get his head on the ball, which bounced toward the net. Buletsa ran onto the ball and volleyed past goalkeeper Brady Scott from 10 yards.
Click to Gallery
Denys Popov scored on a header off a corner kick in the 51st minute, and Ukraine beat the United States 2-1 Friday at Bielsko Biala, Poland, in the Americans' opener at the Under-20 World Cup.
Dest played the ball ahead to Servania, who tapped it to Konrad De La Fuente as Dest streaked toward the penalty area. De La Fuente returned the ball to Dest, who sent it wide to Tim Weah on the left flank. Weah, a son of former Liberia President and former FIFA player of the year George Weah, crossed into an unmarked Servania, who poked the ball in with his right foot from 5 yards.
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
United States' Konrad De La Fuente controls the ball during the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
United States coach Tab Ramos looks out during the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
United States' Sebastian Soto, left, reacts at the end of the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Brandon Servania tied the score six minutes later , capping a series of swift passes.
United States' Sebastian Soto, right, reacts at the end of the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
Dest played the ball ahead to Servania, who tapped it to Konrad De La Fuente as Dest streaked toward the penalty area. De La Fuente returned the ball to Dest, who sent it wide to Tim Weah on the left flank. Weah, a son of former Liberia President and former FIFA player of the year George Weah, crossed into an unmarked Servania, who poked the ball in with his right foot from 5 yards.
Servania made a bow and arrow celebration, was mobbed by teammates, then air sparred with Chris Gloster.
The U.S. plays Nigeria on Monday and closes the group stage against Qatar on May 30. The Americans were eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2015 and 2017.
United States players react after Ukraine's Denys Popov scores his side's second goal during the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
United States' Alex Mendez, center, duels for the ball with Ukraine's Heorhii Tsitaishvili, right, and Ukraine's Denys Popov during the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
United States' Konrad De La Fuente controls the ball during the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
United States coach Tab Ramos looks out during the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)
United States' Sebastian Soto, left, reacts at the end of the Group D U20 World Cup soccer match between Ukraine and USA in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP PhotoSergei Grits)