U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team Topple Azzurri Blue 6-0 in Second Game of the Dallas Cup
DALLAS, TEXAS (Monday, April 14, 2003) - The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team displayed their offensive firepower with a 6-0 victory over Azzurri Blue on Monday, in their second game of the Dallas Cup. With the win, the U.S. stands tied with CD Guadalajara with 4 points, but is considered in first place due to a better goal differential.
April 14, 2003
DALLAS, TEXAS (Monday, April 14, 2003) - The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team displayed their offensive firepower with a 6-0 victory over Azzurri Blue on Monday, in their second game of the Dallas Cup. With the win, the U.S. stands tied with CD Guadalajara with 4 points, but is considered in first place due to a better goal differential.
Despite having to go against a strong wind in the first half of play and fight off a number of hard tackles by Azzurri players early on, the U.S. was able to keep most of the play in the Canadians defensive half. Midfielder Guillermo Gonzalez scored the first two goals for the U.S., one-timing the ball into the top shelf in the 21st minute and then placing a penalty kick 12 minutes later.
In the second half, local hometown boy Chase Wileman came in as a substitute and kept up the U.S. intensity. The Dallas resident set up the next three U.S goals, all of which were headers, by Jose Gomez and Michael Harrington. Harrington earned his second goal of the game in the 89th minute, finishing a penalty kick after getting taken down in the box by the Azzurri keeper.
Azzurri Blue never really threatened the U.S. defense, which was anchored by Quentin Westberg in goal. Kyle Helton and Adrian Chevannes closed down most of the Canadians’ runs down the flanks, as Jonathan Spector and Brandon Owens continually won 50-50 challenges and stole poor passes up the middle of the defense.
The U.S. next faces Municipal Perez Zeledon (of Costa Rica) on Wednesday at 12 p.m. CT. Earlier today, Municipal lost to CD Guadalajara 5-1. On Sunday, the U.S. tied Guadalajara 2-2 in the opening game of the tournament.
"We played better today and came away with a good result," head coach John Ellinger said. "With the win we are pretty much able to control our destiny and advance to the next round by winning on Wednesday. The team is looking forward to keeping up the same intensity and playing to their full potential."
On the U.S.’s first goal, forward Eddie Gaven found an unmarked Gonzalez, who one-timed a brilliant left-footed strike past the keeper from just inside the middle of the penalty area. The U.S. kept up the attack and were awarded with a penalty kick 12 minutes later after a Azzurri defender was called for a handball as he tried to clear a U.S. corner kick. Gonzalez took the penalty and coolly placed the ball into the right side as the keeper went the opposite direction.
Wileman got his first assist of the tournament by serving up a cross in from the left side of the field to the far post where Jose Gomez headed the ball over the outstretched hands of the keeper, who had come off his line. In the 80the minute, Wileman struck again, this time hooking up with Harrington. Harrington, also a second half substitute, jumped up with the keeper and headed the ball into the open net. Wileman’s final assist came off a corner kick, as he found Gomez for another header.
- U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team Game Report -
Participants: U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team vs. Azzurri Blue
Competition: Dallas Cup XXIV
Location: Richland College Field #3; Dallas, Texas
Date: April 13, 2003
Weather: Cool, clear; 70 degrees
Scoring Summary:
1st 2nd Final
United States 2 4 6
Azzurri Blue 0 0 0
USA – Guillermo Gonzalez (Eddie Gaven) 21st minute
USA – Guillermo Gonzalez (penalty kick) 33rd
USA – Jose Gomez (Wileman) 64th
USA – Michael Harrington (Wileman) 80th
USA – Jose Gomez (Wileman) 83rd
USA – Michael Harrington (penalty kick) 89th
Lineups:
USA – 18-Quentin Westberg; 2-Kyle Helton, 3-Jonathan Spector, 5-Brandon Owens (capt.), 16-Adrian Chevannes; 7-Brian Grazier, 15-Corey Ashe (Chase Wileman, 46), 10-Guillermo Gonzalez (13-Jamie Watson, 62), 14-Jose Gomez; 8-John DiRaimondo (9-Michael Harrington, 46), 4-Eddie Gaven (12-Jacob Peterson, 62).
Subs not used: 11-Freddy Adu, 6-Chris Germani, 1-Phil Marfuggi,
AZB – 00-Ramone McIntosh; 4-Luca Zucal, 12-Marko Bedenikovic (7-Dustin Chung, 66), 18-Kayin Jeffers, 19-Shondell Busby (20-Rocco Rago, 62); 13-Frank Iaizzo (21-Sam Holt, 62), 6-Matthew O’Conner, 10-Francesco Bruno, 5-Michael DeSimone (14-Daniel Panici); 11-Luca Forno, 8-Kofi Boateng.
Statistical Summary:
USA AZB
Shots 10 2
Saves 1 2
Corner Kick 6 3
Fouls 7 18
Offside 3 1
Misconduct Summary:
AZB – Michael DeSimone (caution) 14th minute
AZB – Sam Holt (caution) 63rd
USA – Jamie Watson (caution) 71st
AZB – Ramone McIntosh (ejection) 88th
