Rio Maior, Portugal - July 3 - The USA Youth Men's National Team will play for gold at the World Aquatics Youth World Championship for the first time in program history, continuing a historic run for the squad that has lost just one game in Portugal. The semifinal win, a 17-13 defeat of Montenegro, saw Tyler Anderson, Kai Kaneko and Tristan Tucker all score three goals to pace the offense with Rafael Abraham-Suarez recording 12 saves in net. Team USA now readies to meet Croatia for gold on the 4th of July in Portugal where they are already assured of their best-ever finish in this event. The match is set for 11:30am pacific time tomorrow in Rio Maior. Live streaming of all matches is available via the World Aquatics YouTube channel. Follow live stats on Microplus Timing Services.

Team USA got off to the hot start behind two straight goals from Tristan Tucker and Dylan Black for a 2-0 edge in the first. Montenegro got one back but Team USA held a one goal edge after the first quarter. They kept the energy up in the second quarter as Kaneko started with a tally followed by two straight from Tucker for a 5-1 lead with 5:25 to go in the first half. Montenegro fought back to get within one at 6-5 with under three minutes to play in the half. Kaneko got one back for Team USA moments later on a penalty to hold a two goal lead at the intermission.

Jackson Shaw and Tyler Anderson started the third quarter with consecutive power play goals for Team USA to rebuild a four goal lead at 9-5. Montenegro rallied to get within two at 9-7 before Team USA answered with three straight, including two from Anderson, for a 12-7 lead. Shin closed the quarter with a buzzer-beater to give the United States a 13-8 lead going to the fourth. 

Montenegro scored first in the final period but Lucas Ruano and Shin both converted power play goals for a 15-9 lead with 5:14 to go in the game cementing the Team USA lead. Montenegro would get no closer than four the rest of the day as the United States cruised to the victory. Team USA went 8/8 on power plays and 2/3 on penalties while Montenegro with 5/10 on power plays with no penalties attempted. 

Scoring - Stats
USA 17 (2, 5, 6, 4) T. Anderson 3, K. Kaneko 3, T. Tucker 3, J. Taylor 2, J. Shaw 2, A. Shin 2, L. Ruano 1, D. Black 1
MNE 13 (1, 4, 3, 5) A. Durotovic 6, S. Vranes 2, L. Todorovic 2, L. Savic 1, A. Durutovic 1, P. Brnovic 1
Saves - USA - R. Abraham-Suarez 12 - MNE - M. Pejovic 4, J. Milanovic 2
6x5 - USA - 8/8  MNE - 5/10
Penalties - USA - 2/3 - MNE - 0/0