Published 4/11/2007 8:04:24 PM by Shane Barrow from Dallas Texas

The US Under 17s wrapped up a week in the Mondial Minimes International Tournament of France with 2 wins a draw and a loss. The US faced England and Ireland in group play.

In the opening match the US fought to a 0-0 draw with England.
Both teams showed an attacking flare but neither could find the net despite 25 shots between the 2 teams. The US had 6 shots on frame while England managed 3.

Next up was Ireland
The U.S., which had a chance to win the group after their scoreless draw with England on Wednesday, took the lead in the 16th minute behind a goal from Abdusalam Ibrahim. The attack started when Ben Speas slipped a through ball behind the Irish defense for Korey Veeder, who's breakaway was saved by the Irish 'keeper. Veeder raced the loose ball down on the left side and quickly served in a cross to Ibrahim, who headed the ball into the open net as the 'keeper attempted to recover.

The U.S. lead didn't last long as Ireland struck back five minutes later when James Wallace finished past Cody Mizell, who earned his first international cap with the U.S. U-17s. Mizell made an initial save, but Wallace was there for the rebound from close range. Karl Sheppard provided the game-winner for Ireland before halftime off a corner kick when he snuck his shot past Mizell in the 40th minute after a scramble in the box.

In their 3rd game the U17s faced Cameroon
The U.S. Under-17 '91 Men's National Team defeated Cameroon in penalty kicks, 5-4, this afternoon after battling to a 1-1 draw in regulation. Cameroon struck first in the 28th minute when forward Armand Biheng Boum intercepted a pass in the center circle and unleashed a shot from distance that beat goalkeeper Keegan Gunderson who was off his line.

The U.S. bounced back just minutes later when Alex Herrera played the ball down the right flank for CJ Phelps. The forward quickly took a touch toward goal before centering the ball across the boxx to a waiting Ryan Finley who finished past the Cameroon 'keeper.

In the last match of the tournament the US faced their rivals from Mexico.

The US scored all three of its goals in the first half as they dominated Mexico for the entire game. The US outshot Mexico, 13-4, and never allowed their rival to earn a single corner kick. Scott Caldwell, who suffered a shot to the lip and stayed in the game after getting eight stitches, was involved in all three goals.

The first two goals came off corner kicks, with the first coming in the ninth minute. Dersu Abolfathi timed his run perfectly to head home Caldwell's corner just in front of the Mexican goalkeeper.

Abolfathi was also able to get his head to another corner from Caldwell in the 20th minute, but this time he flicked it back to a waiting Kofi Sarkodie who was able to head it into the net from close range. The final goal for the U.S. came off a penalty kick just before halftime. Caldwell was brought down in the box and Abdus Ibrahim finished from the spot.

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