USA U17s

[Ricochet]

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/Natio...083452858/view

U.S. U17 National Team advances to final of Ballymena Tournament with draw vs. Austria

The US this evening drew with Austria, and thus booked their place in the final of the Ballymena Tournament. However, the States will be disappointed not to have taken the full three points from the game, having dominated for long spells, and played the better football.

Although the US dominated the opening period, they survived a major scare in the 11th minute when Marc Sand latched onto a pass from Mario Felber and forced Bryant Rueckner into a good save.

The Americans forced a succession of corners and it was from such a set-piece that they took the lead in the 21st minute. Ryan Soroka, whose delivery was impeccable throughout, drifted the ball towards the penalty spot where Ofori Sarkodie rose, unmarked, to head home.

The goal filled the team with confidence and the US began to show that they really can play some excellent football. On 24 minutes Kevin Alston, after good work from Carlos Borja and Preston Zimmermann, was unlucky not to double the US’s lead when his shot was saved well at the near post by the feet of the Austrian goalkeeper.

Alston manufactured another chance for himself four minutes later when he cut in from the right flank before blasting a shot narrowly wide of the post.

Austria proved dangerous on the rare occasions when they did venture forward and another interchange between Felber and Sand just before half-time resulted in the latter firing just wide of Rueckner’s right-hand post.

The US piled on the pressure at the start of the second period and should perhaps have killed the game off during this spell. From yet another Soroka corner, 14 minutes into the half, Richard Edgar’s header was well saved, and less than a minute later the little right wing-back chipped a wonderful effort just over the cross-bar.

Quavas Kirk was the next US player to threaten. On 65 minutes Zimmermann flicked a long, high ball into the path of his strike partner, but his shot from the edge of the penalty box once more crept wide of the post.

The US were made to pay for this catalogue of missed opportunities, as Veli Kavlak equalised with seven minutes remaining. After a forceful run down the left by Felber, the ball broke to Kavlak who drilled a right-footed shot into the bottom left of the goal. Eric Lichaj was injured in the build-up to the goal and as he called out in pain, the rest of the US team seemed to stop momentarily, allowing Kavlak to capitalise.

Lichaj was unable to continue, and was replaced by Michael Dal Pra. Lichaj's injury should not prevent him from playing in Monday’s final.

The US very nearly grabbed a late winner, after a goalmouth scramble involving Zimmermann and substitute Michael Stephens. Somehow, the Austrians stood firm and cleared the ball to safety to deny the Americans all three points.

Coach John Ellinger was pleased to have recorded the necessary draw which ensured passage to Monday‘s final.

“We’re delighted to now have both feet in the final,” said Ellinger, before adding that the goal his team conceded was preventable. “We had a guy injured and screaming, and the team just stopped, allowing them to get a shot away. We showed a little bit of naivete, and you hate to see it after telling them again and again. People will punish you. But that was the only mistake we made all game and they capitalised on it.”

Switzerland will provide the opposition in Monday's final, after they defeated the host nation, Northern Ireland, by 1-0 in their deciding Group A match.

[Ricochet]

Like I said before I'm not sure if these other nations are sending there best or not but I can say the US who's made the finals didn't. Gaven and Szetela aren't here who are by far the best U17's. It's not only them but players like Jonathan Villanueva and Gabe Farfan are also not on this squad.

[Ricochet]

http://www.ballymena-tournament.org/

[Ricochet]

USA 1 - 1 Austria: USA moves on to finals

The first half of the USA v Austria fixture at Wellington Rec was dominated by the US team which had become favourites to win the David Cairns Memorial Trophy by winning its first two matches in the group phase.

The USA went into the lead in the 22nd minute when Ofori Sarkodie headed home from a corner.

The US played slick football throughout the half but failed to create any further clear-cut chances and the Austrians were unable to force their way back into the game.

The second half was more even and there were few clear-cut chances.

USA were looking to win all three of their group matches and Richard Edgar headed over from a corner. Kirk Quavas shot wide when he was clean through on 64 minutes.

The most significant action took place in the 73rd Minute when Austria's Mario Felber set off on a run down the left and crossed for substitute Veli Kavlak to score.

[Frank Cunha]

Debutant Ababio Caps U-17 Comeback 18/07/04
Eddie Ababio scored the winning goal in his first international match to give the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team a 3-2 win over Canada on Saturday evening in front of 2,525 fans at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.
The U.S. came back to tie the match twice before Ababio scored the game winner in the 65th minute, just a few minutes after coming on as a reserve.

The U.S. will next face another older youth team from Cruz Azul, a famous club team in Mexico, on Monday, July 19 at 7:35 p.m. in Blaine, before facing Canada once again a day later.

The U.S. came away with the win despite playing against an older Canadian squad as the U.S. roster is mainly filled with players born in 1988, while Canada’s squad is primarily players born a year earlier in 1987. U.S. head coach John Ellinger did start six ‘87s, putting goalkeeper Marcus Rein, defender Julian Valentin, and midfielders Adam Sloustcher, Danny Szetela, Eric Avila and Dax McCarty on the field.

“I was very proud that our guys came away with a victory against an older, more experienced squad tonight,” said U.S. Under-17 head coach John Ellinger. “They showed a lot of composure by coming back from behind twice and then finding the game winner in the second half. It was a competitive match and I’m sure it will be when we face them again in a couple of days.”

The U.S. was the better team on the night, even though they didn’t play their best defensive game as both of Canada’s goals came after mishaps in the three-man backline. The U.S. offense made up for it though, as Szetela, who just two days earlier signed with MLS, led the attack, winning a number of tough tackles and distributing the ball to speedy forwards Quavas Kirk and Ryan Soroka. The U.S. outshot Canada 16-9, putting 11 of those shots on frame.

Canada struck first in the 23rd minute after a poor back pass to U.S. goalkeeper Marcus Rein by defender Ofori Sarkodie. Masumi Turnbull pounced on the loose ball as Rein came in to challenge him at the top of the box and the bounced off the two players before falling to the feet of Turnbull, who slotted the ball into the open net.

The U.S. struck back five minutes later as Sarkodie made up for his earlier gaff, heading home a Soroka corner kick to the far post past Canadian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The U.S. won the corner after Szetela won a ball in midfield and quickly fed Kirk on the right flank. The lanky forward used a burst of speed to get a step on his and dribble into the box, where he ripped a shot from a tough angle that the ‘keeper parried over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, Soroka weighted a perfect ball to the back post where Sarkodie rose above his marker and headed the ball down across the goalline, sneaking it past a defender who’s attempted clearance was too late.

Early in the second half, Mike D’Agostino gave Canada the lead once again as the U.S. was unable to clear a loose ball out of the area. Alex Elliot collected the ball on the left side near the top of the box and cut into the center of the area, getting off a shot that hit off Rein’s chest and then deflected off a defender high into the air. D’Agostino met the ball in mid-air just inside the 18-yard line and hit snap header into the upper-right side of the goal.

Despite going down a goal for the second time, the U.S. continued to demonstrate it was the better team on the night, holding most of the possession and breaking down Canada’s long ball tactics. In the 58th minute, the U.S. showed its skilled play with a beautiful combination on the right flank that provided the U.S. with their second equalizer on the night. Off a free kick on the right sideline, Danny Szetela fed Dax McCarty, who quickly dribbled into the midfield before slicing a ball through to Carlos Borja inside the box. Borja crossed the ball across the goalmouth to a wide-open Kirk, who buried the ball into the open net.

The game winner came in the 65th minute when Ababio scored after coming on just a few minutes earlier. On the goal, McCarty headed on a long ball from midfield to a streaking Ababio, who timed his run perfectly after shaking his defender. The striker, who just joined the U-17s last month after gaining his U.S. citizenship after being born in Ghana, calmly collected the ball and slipped it past the ‘keeper.


Scoring Summary:
CAN – Massimo Di Ioia (Masumi Turnbull) 23rd minute
USA – Ofori Sarkodie (Ryan Soroka) 28th
CAN – Mike D’Agostino (unassisted) 49th
USA – Quavas Kirk (Carlos Borja) 58th
USA – Eddie Ababio (Dax McCarty) 65th


USA: 18-Marcus Rein; 3-Julian Valentin, 4-Eric Lichaj (5-Richard Edgar, 38), 7-Ofori Sarkodie; 10-Dax McCarty, 20-Danny Szetela, 16-Nik Besango, 15-Eric Avila (19-Eddie Ababio, 62), 2-Adam Sloustcher (9-Carlos Borja, 46); 6-Quavas Kirk (14-Jeremy Hall, 80), 11-Ryan Soroka.
Subs not used: 1-Bryant Rueckner, 8-Michael Stephens, 12-Michael Dal Pra, 13-Kevin Alston, 17-Taylor Hoss.

CAN: 1-Asmir Begovic; 11-Masumi Turnbull, 6-Kyle Bartkus, 3-Kent O’Conner, 2-Robert Kerek; 5-Joey Loreth, 10-Kerr McLeod, 7-Tosant Ricketts (14-Olivier Babineau, 86); 4-Mike D’Agostino, 9-Alex Elliot (17-Thomas McLean, 85), 15-Massimo Di Ioia.
Subs not used: 8-Will Johnson, 12-Mark Cuevas, 13-Jason Devenish, , 16-Hector Contreras, 22-Adam Catley.


Misconduct Summary:
CAN – Masumi Turnbull (caution) 36th minute
USA – Ryan Soroka (caution) 67th
USA – Carlos Borja (caution) 87th

Referee: Troy Coors (USA)
Assistant: Dustin Downs (USA)
Assistant: Peter Balcunas (USA)
4th Official: Franco Leto (USA)

[Jager]

Watch out for Canada in the next 5 years, are youth program is really picking up.

[BethlehemFC]

Any particular players that people are talking about?

[Frank Cunha]

U-17 MNT Fall To Argentina 13/09/04
The U.S. Under-17 ’88 Men’s National Team fought tough with a talented Argentina side in their opening match of the Campeonato Sudamericano de Futbol Sub-16 Tournament this evening at a rain-soaked Estadio Villa Alegre in Encarnacion, Paraguay, but couldn’t come back from a two-goal deficit and eventually fell 2-1 behind a single goal from forward Quavas Kirk.
After trading chances in the first ten minutes of the match, forward Juan Antonio took advantage of a poor clearance in the 12th minute to give Argentina an early lead. The quick strike put the U.S. on its heels as they struggled for the rest of the first half, only able to muster one attempt on frame.

In the second stanza, the U.S. started to push into the attack and goalkeeper Bryant Rueckner came up with a number of huge saves to keep the deficit to one for a time, but Argentina’s offense was too much as Diego Buonanote trickled a second goal into the net in the 69th minute. Eleven minutes later, the U.S. got back in the match as Quavas Kirk buried a loose ball in the box, but an equalizing goal was not in the cards.

The U.S. will face Uruguay next on Wednesday, Sept. 15 again in Encarnacion. Uruguay currently sits tied atop Group B with Argentina as they came from behind with two goals in the final 15 minutes to take down Ecuador.

“Give credit to Argentina as they are a great team with numerous outstanding playmakers in the midfield and up front,” said U.S. Under-17 head coach John Ellinger. “It was a tough challenge for our players, but I think they performed at a pretty high level and we were able to create enough chances to keep us in the game, and possibly even pull out a draw. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to accomplish that, but now we’ll just look ahead toward Uruguay as we attempt to advance to the quarterfinals.”

Argentina was the better team on the pitch this evening, but the U.S. gave the mighty South Americans a handful, holding spurts in the attacking third throughout the match, but not creating many opportunities on goal as they only finished with six shots, forcing the ‘keeper to react for three. On the other hand, Argentina was constantly peppering the U.S. frame, taking 20 strikes, 11 of which were on target.

Most of the Argentina attack came with the ball at the feet of Sergio Aguero, a dynamo up front who created havoc for the three-man backline of the U.S. The short, stocky forward was deadly on the dribble, but also made good runs off the ball and was strong enough to hold off defenders and then turn on them after collecting the ball from midfield.

Aguero had Argentina’s first strike in the sixth minute as he stole a poor back pass and pushed into the penalty area on the left side before cutting inside of defender Eric Lichaj and ripping a shot that went just over the bar.

While Argentina didn’t capitalize on that mistake, it didn’t waste another chance six minutes later as Richard Edgar tried to clear a ball that had deflected into the air in the box, but his attempt went straight to Antonio, who blasted it low through the crowded area into the net.

Argentina held control for most of the rest of the first 45 minutes, with Aguero being directly involved in their three best chances. In the 27th minute, Antonio blocked a Lichaj clearance on the left sideline and found Zarate near to left-top corner of the penalty area. Zarate pushed it back to Mario Formica, who punched in a cross to the penalty spot where Aguero headed in on goal, but Rueckner was there for the stop.

In the 34th minute, Aguero provided Antonio with a great through ball during a counter attack after a U.S. corner, but his fellow forward’s strike went firmly over. A minute later, Antonio returned the favor, giving Aguero the ball on the left side of the penalty area. The playmaker juked his defender and cut inside, but pulled his attempt wide left.

The U.S. struggled to provide their forwards with much to work with in the first half, but finally got their first shot on goal in the 42nd minute. Nik Besagno crossed in from the right flank and Kirk was there for the header, but Argentina ‘keeper Emiliano Molina was in position for the easy save.

The beginning of the second half didn’t bring much change for the U.S., but Rueckner did what he could to give them a chance making six of his eight saves on the night. Seven minutes in, Aguero found space in the middle of the pitch and dribbled in on goal before being challenged and laying it off to his left for Antonio, who’s point-blank attempt was saved out by Rueckner.

In the 57th minute, Zarate ran down a cleared corner kick on the left sideline and crossed it back into the area. In one motion, Matias Palauecino trapped the ball with his chest and then hit a volley that looked destined for the inside of the left post, but Rueckner laid out for it and kept it in play.

After weathering Argentina’s storm, the U.S. kept the ball in the offensive half for the next ten minutes and it appeared they were going to find an equalizer. In the 64th minute they had their best chance when Ryan Soroka served in a cross from the right and Blake Wagner got power behind his header from the 18-yard line, but again Molina was in position.

Five minutes later, Argentina got the eventual game-winner as Claudio Acosta threaded a ball ahead to Buonante up the gut of the U.S. defense. Rueckner slipped as he came off his line and he wasn’t able to beat him to the ball, but did get a piece of Buonante’s shot. The ball trickled toward the goal line and Rueckner, Lichaj and Buonante all chased it down, but it was Buonante that was able to deflect it for the goal.

Ofori Sarkodie came close to cutting the deficit in half in the 76th minute when he got free at the left post on a free kick from Soroka, but his header only found the hands of Molina.

The U.S. finally broke through in the 81st minute when Joel Smith dropped in a free kick from the edge of the center circle and Besagno was able to head it down into the crowded penalty area. Kirk pounced on the bouncing ball eight yards from goal and drove a low shot into the net. The strike was Kirk’s team leading tenth and his fourth international goal.

Notes: Preston Zimmerman received a broken nose during the match after receiving a unintentional elbow while challenging for a ball. He received treatment and will be day-to-day.

- U.S. Under-17 ’88 Men’s National Team Game Report -

Participants: U.S. Under-17 ’88 Men’s National Team vs. Argentina
Competition: Campeonato Sudamericano de Futbol Sub-16
Location: Encarnacion, Paraguay
Date: Sept. 12, 2004
Weather: Cold and rainy, 60 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1st 2nd Final
USA 0 1 1
ARG 1 1 1

ARG – Juan Antonio 12th minute
ARG – Diego Buonanote (Claudio Acosta) 69th
USA - Quavas Kirk (Nik Besagno) 81st

Lineups:
USA: 1-Bryant Rueckner; 3-Joel Smith, 4-Eric Lichaj, 5-Richard Edgar (14-Drew Yates, 46 ; 15-Eddie Ababio, 89), 7-Ofori Sarkodie; 13-Blake Wagner (20-Matt Armstrong, 71), 10-Carlos Borja, 16-Nik Besango, 11-Ryan Soroka, 6-Quavas Kirk, 9-Preston Zimmerman
Subs not used: 2-Patrick Richards, 8-Michael Stephens, 12-Michael Dal Pra, 17-Jeremy Hall, 18-Brian Perk, 19-Amaechi Igwe.

ARG: 1-Emilio Molina; 2-Juan Forlin, 3-Juan Caracoche, 5-Javier Liendo, 6-Matias Palauecino; 4-Jose San Ramon, 15-Diego Gonzalez (8-Nicolas Dul, 72), 17-Matias Zarate; 11-Juan Antonio (7-Claudio Acosta, 62), 9-Sergio Aguero, 20-Mario Formica (10-Diego Buonanote, 67).


Statistical Summary: USA ARG
Shots 6 20
Shots on goal 3 11
Saves 8 2
Corner Kick 5 7
Fouls 11 17
Offside 0 4

Misconduct Summary:
ARG – Mario Formica (caution) 41st minute
USA – Nik Besagno (caution) 55th
USA – Preston Zimmerman (caution) 80th

Officials:
Referee: Ricardo Grance (Paraguay)
1st Assistant: Nelson Servian (Paraguay)
2nd Assistant: Altemir Hausman (Brazil)
4th Official: Alicio Pena (Brazil)


Group B Standings
Team P W L D GF:GA GD PTS
Argentina 1 1 0 0 2:1 +1 3
Uruguay 1 1 0 0 2:1 +1 3
USA 1 0 1 0 1:2 -1 0
Ecuador 1 0 1 0 1:2 -1 0

Group B Schedule

Sunday, Sept. 12
Uruguay 2, Ecuador 1
Argentina 2, USA 1

Wednesday, Sept. 15
USA vs. Uruguay
Argentina vs. Ecuador

Saturday, Sept. 18
USA vs. Ecuador
Uruguay vs. Argentina

Match Report courtesy of www.ussoccer.com

[revolutionfan]

Sounds like USA was dominated::upset::

[Frank Cunha]

anybody got the final results?

[gforce99]

Ellinger to be announced as Salt Lake City coach Wednesday
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/1097033705

[Frank Cunha]

Hackworth Names U-17 MNT Roster 01/12/04
U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Hackworth today named the 20-player roster for the Under-17 MNT’s match against the Australia Under-17 Men’s National Team on the first day of the 2004 Nike Friendlies at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. ET. The match will be will be televised on tape-delay by Fox Sports World, airing on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. ET.
The U.S.-Australia match will be the premier showcase during U.S. Soccer’s 2004 Nike Friendlies, an annual competition in which the best youth soccer clubs around the United States in the U-16, U-17 and U-18 age divisions are invited to the IMG Academy in Bradenton. The high-level event stresses quality soccer and player development over wins and losses as standings are not kept during the competition, in which each team plays four 80-minute games over four days from Dec. 2-5.

Australia’s U-17 MNT’s participation marks the third consecutive appearance by an Under-17 international team at the Nike Friendlies, after Brazil competed in 2003 and Finland in 2002.

“We are looking forward to facing Australia as part of the Nike Friendlies this year,” said U-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Hackworth. “The match will act as a good measuring stick as we move into next year and begin final preparations for the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in April. Australia will also be looking towards the U-17 World Championship next year, so I’m expecting a competitive and exciting match.”

Hackworth will have a potent trio to use against Australia as Quavas Kirk, Preston Zimmerman and Ryan Soroka have all demonstrated the ability to find the back of the net during their time with the U-17s. Zimmerman leads the team in international goals scored with seven, compiling an impressive strike rate as he’s done it over just 15 games. Kirk is second on the team with three international strikes, while Soroka’s swift play-making skills has generated a team-leading three assists.

On defense, the U.S. is bolstered by a backline of Carlos Borja, Joel Smith, Eric Lichaj and Ofori Sarkodie that has teamed with first-choice ‘keeper Bryant Rueckner to hold their opponents to just three goals in the past eight games.

The match against Australia will provide the U-17’s an opportunity to get valuable experience as the U.S. moves towards CONCACAF qualifying in Costa Rica from April 12-16, 2005. The U-17s will attempt to continue its streak of being the only nation to qualify for each FIFA Under-17 World Championship, a total of 10, one every two years since 1985.

The U.S. will travel to Costa Rica to play in Group A of the final stage of the CONCACAF U-17 qualification along with the host, the Caribbean Zone Series 1 winner (Trinidad & Tobago or Cuba) and the Central American Zone Series 1 winner (Guatemala, Nicaragua or El Salvador). In Group B, Canada will host Mexico, Haiti and the Central American Zone Series 2 winner (Honduras, Belize or Panama). The group winners will qualify for the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru, while the runners-up will compete in a home-and-away playoff, with the winner earning the third and final CONCACAF berth.

With 67 teams participating in more than 100 games across the four-day event, the competition has more than tripled in size since 19 teams competed in the inaugural Nike Friendlies in 2001. Elite club teams from 17 states and two countries will participate in this year’s fourth annual event, which has become highly anticipated by clubs and college coaches because of the emphasis on quality soccer and the top-level competition.

For a complete schedule and daily updates during the event, log on to the Nike Friendlies competitions page at ussoccer.com.

U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team vs. Australia

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate Hometown Club
1 Rueckner, Bryant GK 6’0” 155 01/20/88 Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. PSG (Calif.)
3 Alston, Kevin M 5’7” 137 05/05/88 Silver Spring, Md. Potomac Cougars
4 Lichaj, Eric D 5’10” 140 11/17/88 Downer’s Grove, Ill. Chicago Magic
6 Kirk, Quavas F 6’1” 165 04/13/88 Aurora, Ill. Chicago Magic
7 Sarkodie, Ofori D 5’9” 170 06/18/88 Huber Heights, Ohio Chicago Magic
9 Zimmerman, Preston F 5’11” 170 11/21/88 Pasco, Wash. Crossfire Premier
10 Borja, Carlos D 5’10” 165 01/18/88 Anaheim, Calif. ISC Strikers
11 Soroka, Ryan M 5’6” 135 03/05/88 Langhorne, Pa. FC Delco
13 Wagner, Blake M 5’9” 140 01/29/88 Tampa, Fla. Blackwatch Saints
14 Nakazawa, Kyle M 5’6” 120 03/16/88 Palos Verdes Est., Calif. ISC Strikers
16 Besagno, Nikolas M/F 6’1” 175 11/15/88 Maple Valley, Wash FC United
17 Hall, Jeremy D 5’9” 150 09/11/88 Tampa, Fla HC United
18 Newton, Evan GK 6’0” 165 04/01/88 Virginia Beach, Va. Beach FC Hurricanes
20 Farfan, Gabriel M 5’10” 140 06/23/88 San Diego, Calif. Nomads
21 Igwe, Amaechi M 6’0” 165 05/20/88 Belmont, Calif. Santa Clara Sporting
23 Ampaipitakwong, Anthony M 5’7” 130 06/14/88 Carrollton, Texas Dallas Inter
26 Ababio, Eddie F 5’11” 156 01/01/88 Tampa, Fla. HC United
30 Smith, Joel D 6’0” 165 02/20/88 Irvine, Calif. ISC Strikers
31 Mariscal, Ernesto D 5’9” 150 06/26/88 Garden Grove, Calif. ISC Strikers
33 Arvizu, David F 5’8” 130 04/19/88 Santa Ana, Calif. Pateadores

National Team Staff

Head Coach: John Hackworth Bradenton, Fla.
Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach: Peter Mellor Longboat Key, Fla.
Assistant Coach: Keith Fulk Bradenton, Fla.
Team Coordinator: Alex Miranda Bradenton, Fla.
Team Coordinator: Thomas Norton Bradenton, Fla.
Trainer: Jacob Joachim St. Petersburg, Fla.
Trainer: Michael White St. Petersburg, Fla.
Equipment Manager: Tim Ryder Bradenton, Fla.
Press Officer: Neil Buethe Chicago, Ill.

Press Release courtesy of www.ussoccer.com

[Ricochet]

U17 Portugal vs Australia. Huh!!! what?