TOYOTA, Japan (August 10, 2006) - The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team got a second half goal from Ellis McLoughlin to defeat the Czech Republic this afternoon in their opening match of the Toyota International Championship in Toyota, Japan.
In a back and forth match that saw both teams take 16 shots, the U.S. came away with the game-winner in the 80th minute when goalkeeper Josh Lambo cleared the ball up to McLoughlin. The midfielder quickly turned upfield and was able to get past the last defender to race in on goal before hitting a low shot into the right side of the net.
With the win, the U.S. exacted revenge from an earlier loss to the Czechs this year at another international tournament. On April 28,
the U.S. fell to the Czechs, 1-0, in the championship match of the Ballymena International Tournament. Twelve of the 16 Czech players that played in this match, also played in the Ballymena final.
"It's always great when you can win your opening match of a tournament, and to do it against the Czech Republic allows us to get them back after falling in Northern Ireland earlier this year," said U.S. Under-17 head coach John Hackworth. "We'll now go back and get prepared for Japan, which will be tough as it always is when you play the host team."
On an incredibly hot and humid day, it seemed the U.S. was the fitter team during the first half of play as Hackworth’s squad controlled the majority of the first half. Despite pushing forward in the attack and creating chances, the U.S. was unable to score.
In the second half, the Czech Republic turned the tables and was on the offensive for the first 30 minutes as the U.S. players seemed to fade due to the humid conditions. The U.S. fought back and regained control before McLoughlin's strike provided them with the victory.
U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team Match Report Participants: U.S. Under-17 ‘90s Men’s National Team vs. Czech Republic
Competition: Toyota International Championship
Location: Toyota Ball Game Grounds; Toyota, Japan
Date: August 10, 2006
Weather: Humid, 95 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1st 2nd Final
USA 0 1 1
CZE 0 0 0
USA – Ellis McLoughlin (Josh Lambo) 80th minute
Lineups:USA: 18-Josh Lambo; 2-Matt Uy, 4-Brandon Lee, 5-Howard Turk, 12-Bryan Dominguez (6-Brek Shea, 57); 7-Danny Wenzel, 8-Jared Jeffrey, 9-Sheanon Williams (16-Brandon Zimmerman, 79), 10-Ellis McLoughlin; 11-Kirk Urso (14-Evan Raynr, 36 ; 3-Brendan King, 70), 13-Danny Barerra (15-Greg Garza, 77)
Subs not used: 3-Lonnie Carter, 18-Zac MacMath
CZE: 16-Marek Stech; 2-Thomas Kybal, 3-Lukas Heinz, 4-Miroslav Stepanek (5-Radek Coufal, 78), 6-Jaroslav Kaspar; 9-Lukas Hejda (13-Josef Husbauer, 69), 12-Martin Kucera (11-Lukas Marecek, 62), 14-Jiri Pikl (8-Tomas Dostal, 46); 15-Josef Sural, 17-Jakub Petr (18-David Steiner, 59).
Statistical Summary: USA CZE
Shots 16 16
Saves 5 5
Fouls 14 5
Corner Kicks 3 8
Offside 1 1
Misconduct Summary:USA – Danny Wenzel (caution) 37th minute
USA – Brandon Lee (caution) 60.
Did you know?