Ariyibi shines as the USA smash the group stage

Gboly Ariyibi has taken his chance in the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship with two eye catching displays against Cuba and Panama. Ariyibi has offered the US men's under-23 team some much needed width and attacking option. The US under-23 national team now sit just one game away from Olympic qualification.

The CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament which runs every four years, is a age-restricted football tournament organised by CONCACAF to determine which men's under-23 national teams from the North, Central American and Caribbean region qualify for the Olympic football tournament.

In the states opening game of the campaign against Canada, Ariyibi found himself as an unused substitute. This game saw the Americans triumph against their rivals, in a 3-0 victory, with two goals from Jordan Morris and the remaining goal from Luis Gil. 

In the states second game of the tournament, Ariyibi seized his opportunity when he was given half an hour to impress against Cuba. This saw him put in a fantastic display making 16 passes and completing 14, including an assist. On the 75th minute Ariyibi set up Juárez striker Alonso Hernández bypassing three defenders with his pass to allowing Hernández to sidefoot the US sixth goal. The Americans ran out 6-1 winners. 

With six points out of six earned from their first two games, the US went into their third game against Panama with high hopes. Those hopes were matched by Ariyibi who got his first start of the tournament. 

On the 50th minute, with the scores still at 0-0, Ariyibi went on a strong and powerful run down the left hand side dribbling passed three Panama players putting in a sumptuous pass aimed toward Stuttgart youngster Jerome Kiesewetter, only for it to be put into his own net by Panama defender Fidel Escobar. Ariyibi contributed to three goals in total with a 78% passing success rate. The US finished the game comfortably winning 4-0.

America now head into the semi-finals where they will face Honduras with a chance to play Mexico or Canada in the final. Each of the finalists achieve Olympic game qualification for the 2016 Rio games.