McKenzie, Real lift CONCACAF U20 trophy after 2-0 win over Mexico

Mark McKenzie and Matt Real are continental youth champions.

The Philadelphia Union duo lifted a trophy on Wednesday night after helping lead the United States U20 team to a second straight CONCACAF U20 title in Bradenton, Florida with a 2-0 win over Mexico.

Real, who wore the captain’s armband, and McKenzie started on the back line and helped the Yanks record a clean sheet for the fifth straight game and the sixth time in eight games. The U.S. ended up outscoring opponents 46-2 through the competition.

Alex Mendez provided the offense Wednesday night with goals in each half. The former LA Galaxy Academy midfielder finished with eight for the competition to win the golden ball.

McKenzie, who had three goals and an assist in six starts and wore the captain’s armband for a pair of games when Real was out of the lineup, was named to the tournament’s Best XI. Real ended up captaining the team and starting in five of the eight games.

Union midfielder Anthony Fontana was part of the team for the group stage, scoring four goals and adding an assist in two starts.