San Jose Earthquakes 'keeper JT Marcinkowski congratulates teammates on USYNT success | OneFootball

JT Marcinkowski has congratulated San Jose Earthquakes teammates Cade Cowell and Niko Tsakiris on their roles in the United States U-20's run to the Concacaf U-20 Championship semi-finals.

The USYNT beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier this week to reach the final four, with Cowell and Tsakiris both playing a part from the bench. Cowell has played in all five of the United States' games at the tournament so far, scoring twice, while Tsakiris has two goals in three appearances.

Next up for the USYNT is a tie against Honduras to earn the right to face either Guatemala or the Dominican Republic in the final, with Mikey Varas' side now firm favorites to win the tournament.

Quakes goalkeeper Marcinkowski is thrilled to see his young teammates thriving so much while representing their country.

“We couldn’t be happier for them. I’ve spoken to both of them and they’re very excited to be representing their country," he told reporters during a midweek press conference. "It’s an amazing honor and it’s an amazing team that they have down there. I think they have all the tools to win the championship."

Marcinkowski is intimately familiar with the Concacaf U-20 Championship having won the tournament himself in 2017 alongside Quakes striker Jeremy Ebobisse. The 25-year-old goalkeeper has fond memories of that success and hopes Cowell and Tsakiris can repeat the feat - qualifying for the U-20 World Cup in the process.

"It’s a great memory that I was telling them that Jeremy [Ebobisse] and I were down in Costa Rica five years ago competing for our own U-20 World Cup," Marcinkowski added. "It’s something you look back on and it’s really special. It’s really a cool experience, and a really cool group of guys you’ll always have a shared experience, shared relationship with. I think that’s the biggest thing we can take away. I know that they’ll do well in their next game.”

Unfortunately, Cowell has been suspended for three matches for his role in a brawl at the end of the win over Costa Rica, meaning he'll play no further part in the tournament. The winner of the semi-final against Honduras will qualify for the Olympics in 2024.