U-18s Fall to Slovakia, Will Play in Third Place Match
The U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team had the lead, but couldn't hold on as Slovakia pulled away for a 2-1 win in their final Group A match of the 2006 Slovakia Cup in Novaky, Slovakia.
April 27, 2006
The U.S. finished second in Group A with a 1-1-1 record for four points and will next face Poland on Friday, April 28 in the third place match.
Perica Marosevic, who returned after serving a suspension for a red card in the team's opening match against Hungary, put the U.S. in the lead in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Jonathon Villanueva set up Marosevic with a deft chip through the Slovakian backline. The stout forward was able to dribble towards goal while holding off a defender before slipping the ball past the 'keeper and into the net.
Slovakia bounced back in the 41st minute when forward Duris Michal unleashed a 18-yard blast into the upper right corner.
Hlohovsky Filip scored the game-winner in the 56th minute to put Slovakia in the final, hitting a low drive just beyond Brian Perk's reach.
U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team Match Report
Participants: U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team vs. Slovakia
Competition: Slovakia Cup 2006
Location: Novaky, Slovakia
Date: April 27, 2006
Weather: Warm, 80 degrees
Scoring Summary:
1st 2nd Final
USA 1 0 1
SVK 1 1 2
USA – Perica Marosevic (Jonathan Villanueva) 32nd minute
SVK – Duris Michal 41.
SVK – Hlohovsky Filip 56.
Lineups:
USA: 1-Brian Perk; 2-Cam Lamming (3-Doug Ferner, 46 ; 17-Eber Martinez, 65), 6-Colin Givens (12-Kemo Djedovic, 80), 16-Kyle Davies, 4-Greg Eckhardt; 14-Michael Stephens, 5-Blair Gavin (11-Edgar Barajas, 50), 13-Jonathan Villanueva, 15-Dan Kelly (8-Jose Gonzales, 46 ; 10-Kaoru Forbess, 65); 7-Casey Townsend, 9-Perica Marosevic.
SVK: 1-Roznik Dalibor; 2-Toth Mikulas, 4-Kuzma Marek, 6-Furman Jakub, 7-Kramik Michal, 9-Katona Peter, 10-Denes Lukas (15-Baran Martin, 64), 11-Kuzma Kamil, 14-Zapotoka Jan (3-Sebek Lukas, 69), 17-Rapran Tomas, 18-Duris Michal.
Statistical Summary:
USA SVK
Shots 5 16
Saves 3 2
Fouls 19 6
Corner Kicks 2 8
Offside 1 4
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Michael Stephens (caution) 28th minute
USA – Kyle Davies (caution) 73.
USA – Eber Martinez (caution) 80.
Slovakia Cup 2006 Standings/Results
Group A
| Teams | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts. |
| Slovakia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 7 |
| USA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 |
| Malta | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Hungary | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
Monday, April 24
USA 2, Hungary 2
Slovakia 1, Malta 0
Tuesday, April 25
USA 3, Malta 1
Slovakia 2, Hungary 2
Thursday, April 27
Slovakia 2, USA 1
Malta 1, Hungary 0
Friday, April 28
USA vs. Poland (Third Place Match)
Slovakia vs. Czech Republic (Final)
Group B
| Team | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts. |
| Czech Republic | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
| Poland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| Belgium | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
Czech Republic 2, Poland 0
Ukraine 2, Belgium 0
Tuesday, April 25
Czech Republic 1, Ukraine 1
Poland 2, Belgium 0
Thursday, April 27
Czech Republic 2, Belgium 0
Poland 1, Ukraine 0
