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Ellis McLoughlin scored the game-winner for the U.S.
© John Dorton / isiphotos.com
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BRADENTON, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2006) - For the second time in three days the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team earned a come-from-behind 2-2 draw vs. the Brazil U-17 Men's National Team at the Nike Friendlies in Bradenton, Fla.
On Thursday, Jesse Paredes scored the game-tying goal in the match, while Saturday it was Ellis McLoughlin with the tying goal on a 65th minute free kick.
With no other afternoon games on the schedule during a rest day, the largest crowd ever to see a game at the Nike Friendlies crowded four to five deep around the field boards. Attendees included MLS head coaches Bruce Arena (N.Y. Red Bulls) and Steve Nicol (New England Revolution) and U-17 Residency alums Freddy Adu and Danny Szetela.
The U.S. impressed both the scouts and the fellow Nike Friendlies participants in the 10th minute as Jared Jeffrey sent a perfect free kick into the area from the left side that was headed home by Brek Shea.
Brazil answered five minutes later as Choco punched in the rebound from a Lula shot that hit the right post and ricochet across the goal mouth. Brazil took a 2-1 lead just five minutes later as Alex ran on to a long ball over the top from Lula, held of defender Mykell Bates and slotted a low shot through the legs of Zac MacMath and into the goal.
Brazil captain Felipe was sent off in the 49th minute after hitting Daniel Wenzel in the face during a scuffle after Bates put a Brazilian player into the boards with a hard challenge.
Jeffrey drew a foul from 20-yards out in the 65th minute that set up the tying goal by McLoughlin. Once Brazil set their wall, Jeffery, McLoughlin and Paredes stood around the ball pretending to decide who would take the kick. As Jefferies threw is arms up in the air in apparent disgust, McLoughlin drilled a low free kick under the leaping wall and into the back of the net, a la Ronaldinho in Champions League earlier in the week.
Highlights from the game will be available online at ussoccer.com.
Earlier in the day, IMG Academy U-18s topped Weston Fury 3-2 in the only other match.
The 2006 Nike Friendlies conclude on Sunday with a full slate of matches. Fans can follow all of the action throughout the weekend on ussoccer.com. Be sure to check out daily schedules and results, player features and exclusive all_access videos. Studio 90, the popular web show which debuted at the World Cup in Germany, also returns giving fans more in-depth coverage of your favorite players and teams.
- 2006 Nike Friendlies -
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