United States Under-17 Men’s National Team
Training Camp Update
October 13, 2006 – San Luis, Argentina
TITLE BOUT AGAINST ARGENTINA: The U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team will play for the championship of the Torneo Internacional Sub-17 Provincia de San Luis against host Argentina tonight at the Estadio Juan Gilberto Funes in San Luis. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET). A full match report will be available following the match at ussoccer.com, along with photos and highlights.
LIVE ON TELEVISION? While the match will be televised nationally in Argentina, the possibility exists that the match will also be shown live in the United States. Viewers who subscribe to DirecTV should check Tyc Sports (channel 427). Please consult your local listings for more information.
FORMAL OCCASION: The U.S. players are getting the chance to experience a championship final with all the bells and whistles as the Argentine Football Association is rolling out the red carpet for the match. Julio Humberto Grondona, AFA President and FIFA Vice President, will preside over tonight’s proceedings, while FIFA international referee Sergio Pezotta will do the center. Following the match will be an awards ceremony and a fireworks display. Even the media have gotten into the mix, with Raul Diaz Arce appearing live on a local t.v. show to preview the contest and a full page in this morning’s paper – complete with photos and projected starting lineups – appearing in the sports section.
HACKWORTH NAMES 20-MAN ROSTER FOR ARGENTINA MATCH: U.S. head coach John Hackworth has made two changes to the roster that suited up for the Oct. 5 match against Uruguay, adding defender Brandon Zimmerman and midfielder Ryan Gracia. The match is the third of nine matches (four internationals) the U.S. U-17s are scheduled to play while in Uruguay and Argentina.
U-17 MNT Roster vs. Argentina
GOALKEEPERS (2): Josh Lambo, Zac MacMath
DEFENDERS (6): Mykell Bates, Kofi Sarkodie, Howard Turk, Matthew Uy, Sheanon Williams, Brandon Zimmerman
MIDFIELDERS (9): Danny Barrera, Greg Garza, Ryan Gracia, Jared Jeffrey, Brendan King, Amobi Okugo, Jesse Paredes, Kirk Urso, Daniel Wenzel
FORWARDS (3): Jose Altimorano, Axel Levry, Ellis McLoughlin.
AGAIN AGAINST ARGENTINA: Tonight’s game will be the second meeting between the USA and Argentina in 2006, with both contests taking place in Argentinean soil. Playing the second match of Group A at the Copa Esperanzas Corea 2007 Tournament, the U.S. played the final 55 minutes a man down and fell 1-0 on March 30 at the All Boys Stadium in Buenos Aires. Eight players on tonight’s roster appeared in that match: Danny Barerra, Jared Jeffrey, Josh Lambo, Ellis McLoughlin, Jesse Parades, Matt Uy, Kirk Urso and Danny Wenzel. The full lineups from that day:
USA: 1-Josh Lambo; 13-Matt Uy, 4-Tevin Jackson, 3-Tommy Meyer, 2-Brandon Lee (10-Ellis McLoughlin, 66); 7-Danny Wenzel, 8-Danny Barerra (19-Kirk Urso, 41), 5-Ian Kalis, 14-Jared Jeffrey; 11-Jesse Parades, 9-Brek Shea (17-Brandon Tarr, 41).
ARG: 12-Federico Nicosia; 14-Cristian Gaitan (13-Leandro Brizuela, 66), 4-Mateo Musacchio, 6-Fernando Meza, 3-Maximiliano Oliva; 7-Eduardo Salvio, 5-Guido Pizarro, 15-Maximilano Sepulveda (21-Carlos Benitez, 53), 18-Roberto Vissio (16-Hernan Pereyra, 68); 9-Federico Laurito, 20-Matias Quintana (8-Jorge Perez, 53).
PERU REWIND: The U.S. advanced to tonight’s championship match after a 1-0 victory against Peru this past Tuesday. Jared Jeffrey converted a penalty kick in the 67th minute and Sierra Mist Man of the Match Zac MacMath made three saves to secure the shutout victory, improving the USA’s record against international opponents to 7-1-0 in their last eight matches. To view highlights of the match, click here. You can also here what head coach John Hackworth had to say about the result, along with Jeffrey and MacMath, in this audio podcast (listen).
FORMAT: The tournament format consists of two first-round matches, with the winners of each match competing for the championship while the losers meet for third place. Since their must be a winner in each match, if the teams are tied after 90 minutes they will immediately proceed to penalty kicks to decide the outcome.
SETTLING IN TO SAN LUIS: The U.S. team has taken up residence at the Hotel Potrero de los Funes in the central Argentinean town of San Luis, approximately a 10-hour bus ride (yes, we timed it) west from Buenos Aires. Overlooking a small lake, the hotel is nestled in a valley in a region famous for its production of onyx. Both Argentina and Peru are staying in the same hotel as well. The team has had several days to get accustomed to the scenic surroundings, including a lake-side pool that can only be described as ‘not so warm’.
IN MEMORY OF MOOCH: The impact of the loss of Glenn Myernick in the U.S. Soccer community extends across the country, and the ripples are certainly felt here in Argentina. U-17 coach John Hackworth, a long-time friend and understudy of Mooch, and the rest of the players and staff will wear black armbands tonight in memory of their mentor and friend. “I feel like I lost a dear friend, a mentor and human being that personified all the good things in life,” said Hackworth. “He will be missed tremendously, and we will try to honor Mooch by continuing to represent the sport and our country in a way that would make him proud. Our deepest sympathies go out to Nancy, Kelly and Travis, and the rest of his family.”
THEY SAID IT:
“You scored it. You’re supposed to start it.”
U.S. defender Sheanon Williams to Jarred Jeffrey, on the somewhat disjointed goal celebration following Jeffrey’s penalty kick conversion against Peru.
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