CHATONNAY, France (April 5, 2007) - The U.S. Under-17 '91 Men's National Team fell to the Republic of Ireland, 2-1, this afternoon in their second match of the 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Chantonnay, France.

With the loss, the U.S. finished last in the three-team Group D and will now move on to the consolation bracket. The U.S. will face Cameroon, who finished third in Group A with Russia and France, on Saturday, April 7.

The U.S., which had a chance to win the group after their scoreless draw with England on Wednesday, took the lead in the 16th minute behind a goal from Abdusalam Ibrahim. The attack started when Ben Speas slipped a through ball behind the Irish defense for Korey Veeder, who's breakaway was saved by the Irish 'keeper. Veeder raced the loose ball down on the left side and quickly served in a cross to Ibrahim, who headed the ball into the open net as the 'keeper attempted to recover.

The U.S. lead didn't last long as Ireland struck back five minutes later when James Wallace finished past Cody Mizell, who earned his first international cap with the U.S. U-17s.  Mizell made an initial save, but Wallace was there for the rebound from close range.

Karl Sheppard provided the game-winner for Ireland before halftime off a corner kick when he snuck his shot past Mizell in the 40th minute after a scramble in the box.

U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team Game Report

Participants: USA vs. IRELAND
Competition: 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament
Location: Chantonnay, France
Date: April 5, 2007
Weather: Clear, 60 Degrees

Scoring Summary:
               1     2      F
USA       1     0      1
IRE         2    0      2

USA – Abdusalam Ibrahim (Korey Veeder)            16th minute
IRE – James Wallace                                                 21.
IRE – Karl Sheppard (Greg Cunningham)             40.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Cody Mizell; 8-Kofi Sarkodie, 3-Gale Agbossoumonde (2-Alex Herrera, 59), 7-Chad Barson, 17-Parker Walsh (16-Ryan Finley, 50); 5-Amobi Okugo, 12-Scott Caldwell (15-Kadeem Dacres, 54), 14-Ben Speas, (4-Luis Herrera, 65); 6-Dersu Abolfathi, 9-Korey Veeder (10-Charles Renken, 63), 11-Abdusalam Ibrahim
Subs not used: 18-Keegan Gunderson, 13-CJ Phelps
Head Coach: Raul Diaz Arce

IRE: 1-Harry Lee; 2-Niall Byrne (17-Stephen Last, 74), 3-Richard Towell, 4-Kallum Keane, 5-John Dunleavy: 7-Aaron Doran (15-Jason Hughes, 66), 6-Conor Clifford, 11-Greg Cunningham, 12-Conor Hourihane; 9- James Wallace, 14-Karl Sheppard
Subs not used: 16-Mark Connors, 8-Gearoid Morrissey, 10-Paul Murphy, 13-David Heagney, 18-Robert Gibbons
Head Coach: Vincent Butler

Statistical Summary:
                                  USA      IRE
Shots                         11        13  
Shots on goal            5           5
Saves                          3           4
Fouls                         19        15
Corner Kicks             4           6
Offside                        0           3

Misconduct Summary:
IRE – Greg Cunningham (caution)          38th minute
IRE – Conor Clifford (caution)                  40.
USA – Kofi Sarkodie (caution)                  42.
USA – Kofi Sarkodie (sent off)                  64.
IRE –  Harry Lee (caution)                         71.
IRE – James Wallace (caution)               80.

35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament
STANDINGS AND RESULTS

Group D
Team    GP   W  L  T    GF  GA  GD   Pts.
ENG       2      1   0  1     3      0    +3     4
IRE         2     1   1  0      2      4     -2     3
USA        2      0   1  1     1      2     -1     1

Tuesday, April 3
England 3, Ireland 0

Wednesday, April 4
USA 0, England 0

Thursday, April 5
Ireland 2, USA 1

Group C
Team    GP   W  L  T    GF  GA  GD   Pts.
ITA          2      2   0  0     3      1    +2     6
JPN        2      0   1  1     2      3     -1     0
ROM       2      0   1  1     1      2     -1     0

Tuesday, April 3
Italy 2, Japan 1

Wednesday, April 4
Italy 1, Romania 0

Thursday, April 5
Romania 1, Japan 1

Group B
Team    GP   W  L  T    GF  GA  GD   Pts.
GER       2      2   0  0     5      1    +4     6
BEL        2      0   1  1     3      4     -1     1
MEX        2      0   1  1     2      5     -3     1

Tuesday, April 3
Germany 3, Mexico 0

Wednesday, April 4
Germany 2, Belgium 1

Thursday, April 5
Belgium 2, Mexico 2

Group A
Team    GP   W   L   T    GF  GA  GD   Pts.
FRA         2     2    0   0     5      1    +4     6
RUS        2     1    1   0     4      5    -1     3
CAM        2     0    2   0      2     5     -3     0

Tuesday, April 3
France 2, Cameroon 0

Wednesday, April 4
Russia 3, Cameroon 2

Thursday, April 5
France 3, Russia 1

SECOND ROUND
Elite Teams
Semifinal
Saturday, April 7
France vs. England (Semifinal 1)
Germany vs. Italy (Semifinal 2)

Third Place
Monday, April 9
Loser 1 vs. Loser 2

Final
Monday, April 9
Winner 1 vs. Winner 2

Second/Third Place Teams
Saturday, April 7
Belgium vs. Japan (Second 1)
Russia vs. Republic of Ireland (Second 2)
Cameroon vs. USA (Third 1)
Mexico vs. Romania (Third 2)

Saturday, April 9
Winner Second 1 vs. Winner Second 2
Winner Third 1 vs. Winner Third 2
Loser Second 1 vs. Loser Second 2
Loser Third 1 vs. Loser Third 2