NOVAKY, Slovakia (April 27, 2006) - The U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team had the lead, but couldn't hold on as Slovakia pulled away for a 2-1 win in their final Group A match of the 2006 Slovakia Cup in Novaky, Slovakia.

The U.S. finished second in Group A with a 1-1-1 record for four points and will next face Poland on Friday, April 28 in the third place match.

Perica Marosevic, who returned after serving a suspension for a red card in the team's opening match against Hungary, put the U.S. in the lead in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Jonathon Villanueva set up Marosevic with a deft chip through the Slovakian backline. The stout forward was able to dribble towards goal while holding off a defender before slipping the ball past the 'keeper and into the net.

Slovakia bounced back in the 41st minute when forward Duris Michal unleashed a 18-yard blast into the upper right corner.

Hlohovsky Filip scored the game-winner in the 56th minute to put Slovakia in the final, hitting a low drive just beyond Brian Perk's reach.

U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team Match Report

Participants:     U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team vs. Slovakia
Competition:     Slovakia Cup 2006
Location:    Novaky, Slovakia
Date:    April 27, 2006
Weather:    Warm, 80 degrees

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

USA – Perica Marosevic (Jonathan Villanueva)        32nd minute
SVK – Duris Michal                                                         41.
SVK – Hlohovsky Filip                                                     56.              

Lineups:
USA: 1-Brian Perk; 2-Cam Lamming (3-Doug Ferner, 46 ; 17-Eber Martinez, 65), 6-Colin Givens (12-Kemo Djedovic, 80), 16-Kyle Davies, 4-Greg Eckhardt; 14-Michael Stephens, 5-Blair Gavin (11-Edgar Barajas, 50), 13-Jonathan Villanueva, 15-Dan Kelly (8-Jose Gonzales, 46 ; 10-Kaoru Forbess, 65); 7-Casey Townsend, 9-Perica Marosevic.

SVK: 1-Roznik Dalibor; 2-Toth Mikulas, 4-Kuzma Marek, 6-Furman Jakub, 7-Kramik Michal, 9-Katona Peter, 10-Denes Lukas (15-Baran Martin, 64), 11-Kuzma Kamil, 14-Zapotoka Jan (3-Sebek Lukas, 69), 17-Rapran Tomas, 18-Duris Michal.

Statistical Summary:
                              USA    SVK
Shots                      5        16
Saves                     3         2
Fouls                      19      6
Corner Kicks         2        8
Offside                    1        4

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Michael Stephens (caution)       28th minute
USA – Kyle Davies (caution)                   73.
USA – Eber Martinez (caution)               80.

Slovakia Cup 2006 Standings/Results

Group A

Teams	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
Slovakia	3	2	0	1	5	3	+2	7
USA	3	1	1	1	6	5	+1	4
Malta	3	1	2	0	2	4	-2	3
Hungary	3	0	2	1	4	5	-1	2

Monday, April 24
USA 2, Hungary 2
Slovakia 1, Malta 0

Tuesday, April 25
USA 3, Malta 1
Slovakia 2, Hungary 2

Thursday, April 27
Slovakia 2, USA 1
Malta 1, Hungary 0

Friday, April 28
USA vs. Poland (Third Place Match)
Slovakia vs. Czech Republic (Final)

Group B

Team	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
Czech Republic	3	2	0	1	5	1	+4	7
Poland	3	2	1	0	3	2	+1	6
Ukraine	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1	4
Belgium	3	0	3	0	0	6	-6	0

Monday, April 24
Czech Republic 2, Poland 0
Ukraine 2, Belgium 0

Tuesday, April 25
Czech Republic 1, Ukraine 1
Poland 2, Belgium 0

Thursday, April 27
Czech Republic 2, Belgium 0
Poland 1, Ukraine 0