FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Saturday, February 22, 2003) - The U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team topped the Colorado Rapids 2-1 today at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

The match was the first of the training camp for Thomas Rongen's team, who are preparing for the Madeira International Tournament in Portugal in early March and the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates that kicks off for the U.S. on March 27 against Paraguay.

The U.S. then travels to Portugal on February 27, where they will compete in the Madeira International Tournament.  The U.S. faces Portugal on March 3 at 11 a.m. local time (6 a.m. ET), Norway on March 5 at 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET) and a Madeira Regional Select Team on March 7 at 10 a.m.
local time (5 a.m. ET).

The U.S. was outshot in the match, but the goalkeeping duo of Steve Cronin and Ford Williams combined to produce eight saves and shutout the Rapids after a 35th minute goal from Casey Schmidt.

The U.S. equalized just moments before halftime, when Ed Johnson rose above the penalty box crowd to head home a Bobby Convey corner kick.

After a slew of second-half changes, the U.S. scored the winner in the 53rd minute.