U17 National Team 3 Real Madrid U17s 0
Published 12/30/2006 7:29:03 AM by Soccer Mogul Staff from Dallas, Texas U.S.A.
This Real team apparently includes a number of 91s and is evidently not the first-tier U16 team at the Spanish club, but the national teamers weren't making any apologies for the comprehensive way they took the victory.
"I'm pretty sure they aren't in the habit of keeping players around who they don't think are any good. It's still Real Madrid," U.S. assistant coach Keith Fulk said afterward. "It's still special for our kids and they were excited to play them and they responded well. We've been working on having the 91s play a more attacking style, like a 4-3-3 where we keep the ball and play more soccer. With the older group it tends to be more about results while we can focus on development a bit more with this group. I think they've responded to that well."
Not that the two groups are mutually exclusive. At least a half-dozen of the 91s are either starting or knocking on the door for a spot w ith the program's 1st team, and head coach John Hackworth speculated that with additional physical maturity, more could be in the mix by the time the world championships roll around in the summer.
In Friday's match, Brian Dominguez drew a free kick just outside the area in the opening minutes that Gregory Garza nearly turned into a goal, his curling free kick forcing a diving save from the Real keeper. The U.S. kept pushing forward and Nick Millington scored the opener for the U.S. when an attempted clearance from a corner only made it just outside the area, from where the North Carolina midfielder half-volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
Later in the half, Abdus Ibrahim scored a good goal on a lovely feed from Dominguez. Jose Altamirano made a good run down the left and hit an excellent cross, but Dersu Albofathi's volley was just over the bar and the teams went to the break 2-0.
Altamirano then set up the 3rd goal when his cross found Ibrahim unmarked and the big winger scored with a diving header for a 3-0 final scoreline.
Praise was spread around for this group as Amobi Okugo showed some tough tackling in midfield, while Dersu Abolfathi paired well with Dominguez up top, to go with solid wing play from Ibrahim and Altamirano. Aubrey Perry played well in the back line for the U.S. as well, while Zach MacMath looked composed in keeping a clean sheet.
Ibrahim said the team is growing in ability, confidence and tactical sophistication.
"We're pretty happy. This game wasn't as physical as the games against Brazil, it was easier and not so high pressure," Ibrahim said. "We are starting to play together well. We have been working hard as a team and I think we are getting a lot better at attacking in numbers, and a lot more confident."
U17 National Team Lineup
GK: Zach MacMath
D: Kofi Sarkodie, Zarek Valentin, Aubrey Perry, Greg Garza
M: Amobi Okugo (Charles Renken), Nick Millington, Br\nian Dominguez (Scott Caldwell), Jose Altamirano, Abdus Ibrahim
F: Dersu Abolfathi (Will Bates)\n\n"
Praise was spread around for this group as Amobi Okugo showed some tough tackling in midfield, while Dersu Abolfathi paired well with Dominguez up top, to go with solid wing play from Ibrahim and Altamirano. Aubrey Perry played well in the back line for the U.S. as well, while Zach MacMath looked composed in keeping a clean sheet.
Ibrahim said the team is growing in ability, confidence and tactical sophistication.
"We're pretty happy. This game wasn't as physical as the games against Brazil, it was easier and not so high pressure," Ibrahim said. "We are starting to play together well. We have been working hard as a team and I think we are getting a lot better at attacking in numbers, and a lot more confident."
U17 National Team Lineup
GK: Zach MacMath
D: Kofi Sarkodie, Zarek Valentin, Aubrey Perry, Greg Garza
M: Amobi Okugo (Charles Renken), Nick Millington, Br ian Dominguez (Scott Caldwell), Jose Altamirano, Abdus Ibrahim
F: Dersu Abolfathi (Will Bates)
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