US Under 17s defeat Honduras U17s 2-0

A workmanlike 2-0 victory here Friday over Honduras is latest step in the U17 MNT's preparation for next month's FIFA U17 World Cup.  The team is here at the PDA facility, training and playing 2 friendlies with Honduras prior to a European trip beginning July 10, with the FIFA event in South Korea still the main event.

Friday night under the lights, with temperatures in the high 70s and a slight breeze, the teams kicked off the first of their two matches. The opening minutes of the First half showcased great ball movement by the United States.  The first good opportunity for the U.S. came in the 15th minute, when Daniel Cruz received a ball just inside the 18 yard box, but he grounded the ball just wide of the far post.

As the first half continued to unfold, the U.S. defensive pressure allowed for very little Honduran opportunity. In particular, the United States defenders, notably Mykell Bates and Chris Klute, almost completely shut down the Honduran offense with their speed and well timed well-timed tackles. Defenders Tommy Meyer and Sheanon Williams were also very solid.

Toward the end of the first half, however, what was at first a fairly lopsided game became a more competitive match. In the 39th minute the US created yet another good opportunity when Williams drew a free kick just outside the 18. Midfielder Greg Garza stepped up to take the kick and struck it right into the mix of players. U.S. Defender Mykell Bates met the ball around 12 yards from goal and redirected it past the Honduran keeper and into the back of the net for the United States states' first goal.

Just seconds later, on the Hondurans ensuing attack, a Honduran player nailed a shot from about 15 yards out that rang off the lower right post. The ball was redirected back into the field of play for the U.S to then safely clear it away, preserving the game1-0 at the half.
 
The U.S. once again came out strong in the second half, regaining most of the control.  The next good offensive opportunity for the Hondurans didn't come until the 58th minute, when an Honduran forward managed to strike a dangerous ball from distance that just sailed over the crossbar. 
In the 65th minute the game would see its play of brilliance, when Daniel Cruz received a ball up the right flank. Through hard work and pure tenacity (which Cruz exhibited the entire game) he managed to beat his defender and chip a cross to forward Alex Nimo, who finished the play with an acrobatic bicycle kick that sent the ball screaming into the upper 90.

In the 77th minute the U.S created its next great opportunity, when Brandon Zimmerman slipped a ball up the line to Alex Nimo, who then dribbled behind the Honduran defense and sent a high cross to the far right post. The Forward, and New Jersey Native, Billy Schuler, in with fresh legs, outjumped his defender, but just missed when he headed the ball only inches over the bar.

The last chance for the U.S. came in the 84th minute when Zimmerman connected with Schuler who was making a run up the right flank. Schuler beat his defender by cutting the ball to the inside, and then made a pass across the 6-yard box. What looked like it might be the United Stated Third goal was then cleared away by an out-stepping Honduran defender before the U.S. could get on the end of it.

U.S. Head coach, John Hackworth, was pleased with his team's overall performance.   "I thought we started very well and played good soccer throughout most of the game. Coming into this match, we emphasized that we were going to try and posses the ball and have good fast ball movement," he saic. "Overall, I think we played a solid game tonight. We managed the match well and we finished the chances we needed to and pull off the 2-0 victory, so I am very pleased.

"I thought our center midfielders, particularly Jared Jeffrey, Daniel Wenzel, and Bryan Dominguez, were solid today, along with our defense. Honduras is an excellent team. They are very organized and have quality defenders that were hard to break down. Danny Cruz contributed a bunch by being a handful, and Nimo made some great runs in the first half to help release our pressure," Hackworth continued. "He then finished out his night with an amazing bicycle kick that put us up 2-0, so overall I am very happy with our performance and to get the 2-0 win and shutout against a great Honduran team."

The U.S. squad will play a final match against Honduras on Sunday at 5:00pm at Reynolds fields in Parsippany NJ, before leaving for Belgium and Germany and matches against international teams and older-aged professional youth sides..


U17 MNT starting Lineup
Forwards: Alex Nimo, Daniel Cruz
Midfield: Daniel Wenzel, Jared Jeffrey, Bryan Dominguez, Greg Garza
Defense: Mykell Bates, Sheanon Williams, Tommy Meyer, Chris Klute
Goalkeeper: Zac MacMath

Subs
68th min Brandon Zimmerman for Sheanon Williams
71st min Billy Shuler for Daniel Cruz, Dane Shea for Greg Garza
80th min Amobi Okugo for Alex Nimo