The U.S. U17 MNT accomplished the first goal at the Concacaf Championship, emerging as group winners on the way to a Round of 16 matchup this weekend.

Set to face the Dominican Republic on Saturday, February 18 in a win-or-go home scenario, the business end of the competition starts now.

From a U.S. perspective, it’s been a relatively even-keeled start. The team didn’t face the highest-level competition, and showed a real aptitude to possess the ball. Turning that ball dominance into chance creation – especially through the middle. The bulk of the team’s goals have come from the flanks, as the team has aimed to hit big switched and get its wingers into space.

The main goal remains a World Cup spot obviously, requiring the team to reach the semifinals (two more wins). That requires a win on Saturday against Dominican Republic, and then whoever progresses to the quarterfinals from the matchup of Jamaica and Guatemala, which is also set for Saturday.

There have been some notable performances through the first three games to asses.