Drawn into a under-20 World Cup group that included Ghana, France, and Spain (the defending champions of everything) the U.S. U-20 team knew it wasn't going to have an easy time in Turkey.

Sure enough, the Americans lost badly to Spain, 4-1, in its opening match on Friday in Istanbul.

From the opening whistle the U.S. gambled by playing a high defensive line, apparently determined to challenge the Spanish team at its own game. Although susceptible to counter attacks, the strategy seemed to work—for a few minutes anyway. In the 5th minute, Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu made a trademark end line run, got behind the U.S. backline, and played a simple cross to Real Madrid prospect Jese for an easy opening goal.

Despite the setback, the U.S did not immediately abandon its strategy. Taking a cue from Barcelona’s famed “5 second rule,” the U.S. continued to pressure Spain on the ball and, to its credit, was able to create some promising chances. In the 13th minute, Luis Gil slipped a ball to a wide open Alonso Hernandez who flubbed his golden opportunity by chipping the ball just wide of goal.

Early goal aside, the Americans stayed with the Spanish for stretches of the match, and the momentum switched back and forth between the two teams. The Yanks created some positive build-ups in the first half only to have some poor final balls negate the chances.

Unexpectedly, almost unbelievably, at the 36-minute mark the U.S. had a majority of the possession. While this would be a badge of honor for many sides, Tab Ramos' aggressive tactics proved extremely costly late in the first half.

Spain got on the board again in the 42nd minute when Deulofeu received the ball near the top of the box, sidestepped the anemic efforts of U.S. defender Jevan Torre, and sent a wicked curling shot past the outstretched hands of Cody Cropper. In a flash, Spain had doubled its lead.

Once again taking advantage of a stretched U.S. backline, Spain struck again just two minutes later. After an untimely slip by U.S. defender DeAndre Yedlin, Spain's midfield maestro, Oliver Torres, escaped the American pressure and sent a simple pass to the onrushing Real Madrid prospect Jesse, who slid his chance through the legs of Cropper to make it 3-0. The late flurry effectively killed the game before the halftime whistle.

After the break, the two sides proceeded to trade some less-than-biting possession, but the U.S. could not find an opening. Spain continued to efficiently circulate the ball, lulling the U.S defense to sleep on a number of occasions. Highly technical and ruthless in pursuit of goals, Spain kept the U.S. defenders extremely busy after the break, and American midfielders had to track back frequently just to keep the differential at three.

In the 61st minute, Spain added to its lead. On yet another counterattack, Cropper sprinted off his line and made an ill-advised challenge on Deulofeu, who gracefully rounded the Southampton goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

The U.S. eventually made its way on the scoresheet after a bit of magic from Real Salt Lake’s Luis Gil, who converted on a powerful and well-placed left-footed shot from the top of the box in the 77th minute. It was an impressive shot, but not nearly enough to make a difference. The U.S. continues play on Monday, where it will take on a powerful France side that defeated Ghana 3-1 earlier Friday.

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Although Tab Ramos hinted that Creighton defender Eric Miller would start at center back, it was Jevan Torre who got the nod. Unfortunately for Torre, he had an awful performance. His poor marking and ineffectual pressure allowed Spain to get two early goals, and the U.S. never recovered. It would be hard to see him getting any more time at the position.

Luis Gil was the U.S. man of the match. He was smart with his possession and was able to spring several U.S. breaks, including a flubbed chance from Alonso Hernandez early in the match. His 77th minute goal was a thing of beauty.

Both Hernandez and Danny Garcia were forced to exit the match due to injury. Hernandez was subbed off at halftime in favor of Mario Rodriguez, who struggled to make an impact. Garcia was taken off early in the second half after a vicious elbow from Spanish defender Israel Puerto sent him to the ground.

We’ll have a full recommendation of lineup adjustments before the match with France, but Daniel Cuevas, who came on for Danny Garcia, looked fit and saw much of the ball in the second half. I would imagine he starts on Monday.