Under 17 World Cup - US loses 4-3

The US Under-17 Men's National Team opened Group E play at the 2007 U-17 FIFA World Cup Monday, August 20 against Tajikistan. Despite taking early leads in the first and second halves, Tajikistan rallied twice to retake the lead, and eventually win 4-3.  After taking an early 1-0 lead on a 9th minute goal from Mykell Bates, the U.S. was in control for the majority of the first half. In the 32nd minute, Tajikistan benefitted from an unlucky bounce off a strike from Farkhod Vasiev. A deflection off a U.S. defender rendered goalkeeper Zac MacMath helpless, tying the game at a goal apiece.

With just minutes remaining in the first half, Tajikistan took the lead on some strong play. A cross from the right wing found space near the top of the arc, and Samad Shohzukhurov blasted the ball past MacMath, who managed to get his gloves on the ball, but with such power behind the shot was unable to keep the ball out of the goal.

Trailing 2-1 at halftime, the U.S. came out in the second half with the same energy they brought in the first, scoring two quick goals to retake the lead. In the 48th minute, Billy Schuler sent a cross from the right side that followed the end line all the way to the goal, passing over the reach of the Tajikistan goalkeeper and finding Greg Garza alone at the far post to chest the ball into the empty net.

Just five minutes later, Schuler scored a goal of his own off a corner kick from Alex Nimo to give the U.S. a 4-3 lead.

But as the second half wore on, Tajikistan gained more and more possession and in the 82nd and 86th minutes found net to seal the 4-3 victory.

With Monday's result, the U.S. is in third place in Group E with a -1 goal differential separating them from Belgium (-2). The next match for the U.S. will be Thursday, August 23 against Tunisia. That match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 beginning at 4 a.m. ET.

U.S. Under-16 Men’s National Team Game Report

Participants: U.S. Under-17 MNT vs. Tajikistan
Competition: FIFA Under-17 World Cup
Location: Changwon, South Korea
Date: August 20, 2007

Scoring Summary:
            1   2   F
USA    1   2   3
TJK     2   2   4 

USA – Mykell Bates (Greg Garza) 9th minute
TJK – Farkhod Vasiev 32.
TJK - Samad Shohzukhurov (Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev) 43.
USA – Greg Garza (Billy Schuler) 48.
USA – Billy Schuler (Alex Nimo) 53.
TJK – Nuriddin Davronov 82.
TJK - Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev 86.

Lineups:
USA: 18-Zac MacMath; 2-Sheanon Williams, 3-Mykell Bates (capt.), 6-Danny Wenzel, 7-Kofi Sarkodie; 8-Jared Jeffrey, 10-Bryan Dominguez (9-Ellis McLoughlin, 86), 17-Greg Garza (16-Brandon Zimmerman, 79), 19-Alex Nimo; 11-Abdusalam Ibrahim (15- Brek Shea, 72), 13-Billy Schuler
Subs Not Used: 1-Josh Lambo, 4-Tommy Meyer, 5-Chris Klute, 12-Kirk Urso, 14-Daniel Cruz, 20-Larry Jackson, 21-Brendan King