The final group stage of the CONMEBOL U-20 championships will begin on Tuesday, and the New York Red Bulls' Cristian Casseres Jr. is playing an integral role for one of the favorites.
The 19-year-old Casseres' has started in all four preliminary group matches for El Vino Tinto, which won three of those matches to top Group A ahead of Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Bolivia. Two of Venezuela's wins came despite picking up red cards.
In total, Cassares has played 265 minutes for his nation's U-20s, which begin the five-match final group stage against Uruguay Tuesday at 8:10 pm ET. The tournament concludes on Feb. 10.
