CHICAGO (May 26, 2004) – The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team took an early lead, but eventually fell to Argentina this evening 2-1 after two unanswered goals in a three minute span at the Argentina Federation Association training grounds near Buenos Aires.

The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute following a poor clearance by the Argentina goalkeeper. With the U.S. pressuring the backline, an Argentina midfielder dropped a difficult pass back to the ‘keeper, who tried to take a touch before clearing it up field, but the ball skipped off the side of his foot. U.S. midfielder Charlie Davies put himself in a good position to pounce on the loose ball and knock it into the open net to give the U.S. the early advantage.

The match was a tight contest for the rest of the first half and most of the second half, but Argentina finally caught a break in the 72nd minute when a U.S. defender was called for a handball in the penalty area during a skirmish in front of the U.S. net. Argentina converted the resulting penalty kick, making it 1-1.

The score wouldn’t stand long though, as just two minutes later Argentina struck again for the game-winner.

The U.S. will next play two Argentina club youth teams, facing Boca Juniors on May 28, before finishing their tour against River Plate on May 31. The U.S. arrived in Argentina on Sunday (May 23).

- U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team Game Report -

Participants: U-18 MNT vs. Argentina (86s)
Competition: Friendly
Location: AFA Training ground (near Buenos Aires)
Date: May 26, 2004
Weather: Partly Cloudy / Windy, 50 degrees

Scoring Summary:

    1st 2nd   Final
United States   1 0 1
Argentina   0 2 2

USA – Davies    12th minute
Argentina – n/a    72nd (penalty kick) 
Argentina – n/a    74th

Lineups:
USA – 1-Steve Sandbo; 3-Greg Folk; 5-Karl Schilling; 4-Julian Valentin; 2-Nathan Sturgis (6-Drew Harrison, 18’, 9-Rodrigo Hidalgo, 85’); 10-Danny Szetela (8-Dax McCarty, 68’); 7-Michael Bradley (16-Rich Costanzo, half); 12-Mike Orozco; 17-Christian Jimenez (23-Mike Ordonez, 30’); 13-Mike Grella (15-Ely Allen, half); 20-Charlie Davies

Argentina – n/a

Statistical Summary:
         USA   Arg
Shots  3 10
Saves  4 2
Corners  5 8
Fouls   5 6
Offside  1 4

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Orozco, caution  50th minute
USA – Costanzo, caution 71st minute