Despite dominating the run of play and putting more shots on goal, the U.S. Under-15 Men’s National Team fell to older U-16 Santa Clara Sporting Ruckus 1-0 this afternoon in their second match of the Dallas Cup at Richland Sports Complex in Dallas, Texas.

The loss, coupled with the U-15s draw a day earlier with Dallas Inter Black, mathematically eliminated the U.S. from qualifying for the quarterfinals. The U.S. will play its final Bracket E match in the U-16 Group on Wednesday, April 7 against CJSO of Jackson, Miss.

The Under-15s had the majority of the possession and took twice as many shots on goal (six to three), but couldn’t finish past Ruckus ‘keeper Ben Lovelace. While Ruckus only had three shots on goal it ended up not even needing the final two, as forward Edwin Vidauree scored on their first attempt due to a poor clearance by the U.S. defense after a cross from the right wing. Vidauree pounced on the loose ball and blasted in past Brian Perk to give Ruckus the lead.

The U.S. started pushing forward in the final 45 minutes in hopes of finding the equalizer and Anthony Wallace, Justin True and Perica Marosevic all had opportunities to be the hero, but just couldn’t push it across the goal line as Ruckus packed it in and played for the tie. True was especially dangerous up top, causing havoc for the Ruckus defenders. In the 70th minute, True got free and ripped a shot that seemed destined for the back of the net, but Lovelace came up big to swat it away and keep the clean sheet.

In the final minutes of the game, True again created for the U.S., slicing through the Ruckus backline and getting fouled what appeared to be inside the box. The referee saw it differently and called a free kick outside of the box. The free kick was one of the final chances for the Under-15s to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive, but the shot was over the bar.

 

- U.S. Under-15 Men's National Team Match Report -

Participants:     U.S. Under-15 Men’s National Team vs. Ruckus
Location:     Dallas, Texas
Date:    April 5, 2004
Weather:    Warm, 70 degrees

Scoring Summary:    1st    2nd    Final 
RUK                                  1       0         1
USA                                  0       0         0

RUK – Edwin Vidauree (Pierce Cavallero)            20th minute   
 
Lineups:
USA: 18-Brian Perk; 11-Victor Cortez (5-Douglas Ferner, 53), 13-Daryl Tom, 19-Steven Morales; 3-Bryan Arguez, 10-Guiseppe Carotenuto, 20-Cesar Nunez (9-John Tardy, 62), 17-Anthony Wallace, 16-Justin True; 7-Andrew Giallombardo (8-Joseph Sorrentino, 53), 23-Brett King (15-Perica Marosevic, 46) 

RUK:  Ben Lovelace; Chris Martin, Hassan Abdullah, Kevin Barry, Pat Rickards; Imaan Kerchgani, Pierce Cavallero, Jeff Cosgriff, Corey Lauterbach; Edwin Vidaurre, Jeff Coggan.


Statistical Summary:           RUK    USA
Shots                                           3          6       
Saves                                          5          2
Corner Kick                                3          6
Fouls                                           11        9   
Offside                                         2         0

Misconduct Summary:
USA - Bryan Arguez (caution)                     64th minute