BEAVERTON, Ore. (Sept. 7, 2006) – The U.S. Under-17 ’90 Men’s National Team fell, 3-0, to Brazil this morning in the opening match of the Nike National Team Friendlies at the Ronaldo Field on the Nike Campus in Beaverton, Ore.
Andre opened the scoring in the 19th minute and Rafeal doubled Brazil’s lead five minutes later as the three-time U-17 world champion took a commanding lead into halftime. After Alex tallied Brazil’s third goal in the 57th minute, the U.S. tried to claw back into the match, but Daniel Wenzel was sent off for a second caution in the 63rd minute forcing the U.S. to just 10 men for the rest of the match.
“Whenever you face Brazil you can’t give them easy chances to score and unfortunately that’s what we did today and they made us pay for it,” said U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Hackworth. “I thought our guys did a good job of creating some quality chances on goal even when we went down to 10 men, but just need to finish better. We’ll regroup quickly as we’ve got another tough match on Thursday against reigning world champion Mexico.”
Brazil scored their opening goal off a throw-in from deep on the left sideline. Bernardo threw the ball into the penalty area where Alex was able to flick it toward the six-yard box for a charging Andre who volleyed inside the left post past U.S. goalkeeper Josh Lambo.
Six minutes later, the U.S. provided the Brazilans with a gift to give them a 2-0 lead. Matt Uy collected a U.S. throw-in and attempted to push the ball back to Lambo, but his poor pass was intercepted by Rafael. The Brazilian right back calmly converted the one-v-one with Lambo, slipping his shot just underneath the U.S. ‘keeper.
A minute before the halftime whistle, U.S. forward Ellis McLoughlin collected a through ball from Jared Jeffrey near the top of the penalty area, quickly spun and unleashed a low drive, but his attempt went wide right.
The U.S. pushed forward early in the second half, but Brazil basically put the game away in the 57th minute when Alex added to his earlier assist with a quality goal from outside the box. A Brazilian corner kick was headed out by the U.S. defense, but it fell directly to Alex, who took a settling touch before driving a dipping shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar before dropping across the goal line.
Any chance of a USA comeback took a hit in the 63rd minute when Wenzel received his second yellow for a two-footed tackle. Although it appeared the midfielder cleanly won the ball, the official deemed the tackle dangerous and pulled out the yellow and the following red card.
Despite being down by three goals, the U.S. had a number of chances to cut into Brazil's lead but couldn't finish from inside the box. Howard Turk, Sheanon Williams and second half substitute Brendan King all had chances to redirect crosses into the goal from around the six-yard box, but all three went wide or high of frame.
In the second match of the day, Portugal showcased their impressive skills with a demolishing 5-1 victory over Mexico which included a number of world class goals.
- U.S. Under-17 ‘90s Men’s National Team Game Report -
Participants: U.S. Under-17 ‘90s Men’s National Team vs. Brazil
Competition: Nike National Team Friendlies
Location: Ronaldo Field on Nike Campus; Beaverton, Ore.
Date: Sept. 7, 2006
Weather: Sunny, 70 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 Final
USA 0 0 0
BRA 2 1 3
BRA – Andre (Alex) 19th minute
BRA – Rafael (unassisted) 24.
BRA – Alex (unassisted) 57.
Lineups:
USA: 18-Josh Lambo; 2-Sheanon Williams (11-Brendan King, 72), 4-Howard Turk, 14-Mykell Bates, 5-Matt Uy; 6-Danny Wenzel, 8-Jared Jeffrey, 10-Bryan Dominguez (19-Israel Sesay, 41); 13-Danny Barerra (17-Ryan Finley, 61), 9-Ellis McLoughlin, 7-Axel Levry (20-Ibi Abrahim, 41).
Subs not used: 3-Brandon Lee, 12-Ryan Gracia, 15-Gregory Garza, 16-Brandon Zimmerman, 18-Zachary MacMath
BRA: 1-Marcelo; 2-Rafael, 4-Atila (13-Forster, 75), 3-Michel, 6-Bruno; 5-Felipe (15-Raul, 75), 7-Bernardo (14-Tiago, 59), 8-Tales (16-Giuliano, 61), 10-Lula (17-Douglas, 72); 9-Andre (18-Choco, 66), 11-Alex (19-Joao Antonio, 72)
Subs not used: 12-Anderson
Statistical Summary: USA BRA
Shots 11 16
Saves 3 3
Corner Kicks 10 7
Fouls 20 8
Offside 3 4
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Sheanon Williams (caution) 3rd minute
USA - Jared Jeffrey (caution) 41.
USA – Danny Wenzel (caution) 48.
USA – Danny Wenzel (caution) 63.
USA – Danny Wenzel (sent off) 63.
BRA – Atila (caution) 73.
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