BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland (April 26, 2005) - The U.S. Under-17 '89 Men's National Team won their second straight game at the Ballymena International Tournament this evening with a 1-0 victory over Israel.

The U.S. sits atop Group A with six points and has a great chance to advance to championship match to play for the David Cairns Memorial Trophy given to the winner of the tournament. The U.S. can guarantee its spot in the final with a win or a draw against Northern Ireland in their final group match on Wednesday, April 27.

Josmer Altidore scored the game-winner in the 38th minute, but it was goalkeeper Brian Perk who was the man of the match as he shutout a talented Israel team that outshot the U.S. 13-8. Perk came up with nine saves on the night to register his second straight shutout.

Along with his magnificent perfomance stoning Israel, Perk also started the winning goal when he punted the ball up the field for Eber Martinez, who's flick header released Altidore behind Israel's defensive line. Altidore pounced onto the through ball and ripped from shot just inside the penalty area, placing it low past the diving 'keeper into the right corner. 

- U.S. Under-17 '89 Men's National Team Match Report - 

Participants:     U.S. Under-17 ‘89s Men’s National Team vs. Israel
Competition:     Ballymena International Tournament
Location:    Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Date:    April 26, 2005
Weather:    Cool, 60 degrees
Attendance:    300

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

USA – Josmer Altidore (Eber Martinez)         38th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Brian Perk; 8-Michael Stephens, 5-Greg Eckhardt, 3-Anthony Wallace, 14-Victor Cortez; 16-Perica Marosevic (4-Jonathan Collier, 61), 7-Andrew Giallombardo, 6-Bryan Arguez, 15-Daniel Kelly (11-Joseph Sorrentino, 21); 10-Josmer Altidore, 9-Eber Martinez (12-Andrew Duran, 61).

ISR: Ben Rahav; Dor Malul, Gal Shish, Yehuda Huta (Amir Iavi, 77), Niso Kapiloto; Mahmoud Hijazi (Yotam Penso, 70), Zahi Salok, Omer Damari, Omri Azulay; Ben Shahar, Viktor Marey.


Statistical Summary:
                              USA     ISR
Shots                       8        13
Saves                      9          4
Fouls                        6         5
Corner Kicks         14        5
Offside                    4          1   

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Andrew Giallombardo (caution)     59th minute
USA – Joseph Sorrentino (caution)           69. 

STANDINGS / RESULTS
Group A
Team    GP    W    L    T    GF   GA     GD    Pts.
USA      2        2    0    0     3       0        +3      6   
SVK      2        1    1    0     5       3        +2      3
ISR        2        1    1    0     3       1        +2      3
NIR        2        0    2    0     1       8         -7      0

Monday, April 25
USA 2, Slovakia 0
Israel 3, Northern Ireland 0

Tuesday, April 26
USA 1, Israel 0
Slovakia 5, Northern Ireland 1

Wednesday, April 27
Israel vs. Slovakia         6 p.m. local time
USA vs. Northern Ireland      8 p.m. local time


Group B
Team    GP    W    L    T    GF   GA     GD    Pts.
SCO      2       2     0    0     5       0       +5       6   
CZE       2       1     1    0     2       2         0       3
SUI         2       1     1    0     2       3        -1       3
FIN         2       0     2    0     0       4        -4       0

Monday, April 25
Czech Republic 1, Finland 0
Scotland 2, Switzerland 0

Tuesday, April 26
Switzerland 2, Czech Republic 1
Scotland 3, Finland 0

Wednesday, April 27
Czech Republic vs. Scotland     9 p.m. local time
Finland vs. Switzerland         9 p.m. local time