TRUJILLO, Peru (Aug. 14, 2004) - The U.S. Under-17 '88 Men's National Team came from behind to draw Ecuador 1-1 in their final match of the Copa Telefonica Tournament in Trujillo, Peru, to finish in second place.

With the draw, the U.S. finished 1-1-1 after beating Peru 2-1 and falling to Colombia 2-0 earlier in the week. Colombia didn't let up a single goal in the four-team tournament, also defeating Ecuador 2-0 and Peru 5-0, to finish in first place.

The U.S. outshot Ecuador 12-7, but fell behind early in the match as Ecuador was able to find the back of the net in just the fourth minute. The U.S. bounced back with a goal in the 75th minute by Preston Zimmerman and then a minute later U.S. goalkeeper Bryant Rueckner came up with a huge penalty kick save to secure the 1-1 draw. 

Ecuador took the early lead when midfielder Christian Ruiz was able to finish past Rueckner. On the equalizer, Ofori Sarkodie sent in a corner kick and Zimmerman was able to outjump his defender and head the ball past Ecuador's 'keeper, Leonardo Leon.

- U.S. Under-17 ‘88s Men’s National Team Game Report -

Participants: U.S. Under-17 ‘88s Men’s National Team vs. Ecuador
Competition: Copa Telefonica 2004
Location: Estadio Mansiche; Trujillo, Peru
Date: Aug. 14, 2004
Weather: Cool, 70 degrees

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

ECU - Christian Ruiz                                                              4th minute
USA - Preston Zimmerman (Ofori Sarkodie)                      75th

Lineups:
USA: 1-Bryant Rueckner; 4-Eric Lichaj, 7-Ofori Sarkodie; 5-Richard Edgar (12-Michael Dal Pra, 60), 10-Kevin Alston (20-Gabriel Farfan, 60); 14-Kyle Nakawzawa (3-Carlos Borja, 25), 11-Ryan Soroka (19-Michael Farfan, 71), 16-Nik Besango; 9-Preston Zimmerman, 15-Eddie Ababio (2-Michael Balogun, 25), 6-Quavas Kirk.
Subs not used: 8-Michael Stephens, 13-Blake Wagner, 17-Jeremy Hall, 18-Evan Newton.

ECU: 1-Leonardo Leon; 3-Christian Minda, 4-Edison Carcelen, 6-Jorge Majao, 13-Carlos Castro; 2-Ider Quintero, 8-Miguel Cortez, 11-Gabriel Renfigo (20-Jhonatan Monar, 62), 15-Christian Ruiz; 7-Felipe Caicedo, 19-Renee Baez (9-Santiago Jimenez, 58)


Statistical Summary:     USA      ECU
Shots                                     3            13
Saves                                    5            2
Corner Kick                          4            4
Fouls                                     18          23
Offside                                  1            1

Misconduct Summary:
USA - Carlos Borja (caution)                       30th minute
USA - Richard Edgar (caution)                   35th
ECU - Jorge Maiao (caution)                      39th
USA - Nikolas Besagno (caution)              48th
USA - Preston Zimmerman (caution)        66th
ECU - Santiago Jimenez (caution)            68th
USA - Michael Balogun (caution)               76th

Copa Telefonica 2004 -- Final Standings
Team          GP  W   L   T   GF   GA   +/-   Pts.
Colombia    3     3    0   0    10     0     10    9
USA             3    1    1   1     3       4     -1     4
Peru             3    1    2   0     3       7     -4     3
Ecuador      3     0    2   1    1       6      -5     1

Tuesday, Aug. 10
Colombia 3, Ecuador 0
USA 2, Peru 1

Thursday, Aug. 13
USA 0, Colombia 2
Ecuador 0, Peru 2

Saturday, Aug. 15
USA 1, Ecuador 1
Colombia 5, Peru 0