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U-18 USMNT draws Benfica U-19 in friendly match

Collin Fernandez

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By RYAN TOLMICH

The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team kicked off their Portugal trip on Tuesday with a positive result in a warm-up ahead of the upcoming Lisbon International Tournament.

Collin Fernandez’s 65th minute equalizer proved to be enough for the U.S. U-18s in their 1-1 draw with the U-19 side of Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. A streaking Fernandez was found from the back line by substitute midfielder Ben Swanson, giving Fernandez the space to finish from the top of the box.

Fernandez’s strike canceled an opener from Benfica’s Oliveira, who scores just before the halftime whistle. Head coach Eddie Lewis used the break to insert five substitutions, including Swanson, who picked up the assist on Fernandez’s goal.

The U-18s will open tournament play Friday when they take on the Norway U-18s. The U.S. will then take on Portugal on Sunday before taking on Sweden on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at the U.S. lineup from their 1-1 draw with Benfica U-19:

U.S. U-18MNT: 12-JT Marcinkowski (1-Jonathan Klinsmann, 66); 3-Malcolm Jones, 6-Mauricio Pineda, 15-Quentin Pearson (5-Tommy Redding, 45), 8-Chase Gasper; Maduabuchi Obinwa (7-Ben Swanson, 45), 13-Brooks Lennon (9-Coy Craft, 45), 14-Cameron Lindley (11-Collin Fernandez, 45), 2-Mukwelle Akale; 4-Dembakwi Yomba (20-Sebastian Saucedo, 45), 16-Rubio Rubin (capt.) (10-Sebastian Elney, 66)

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What do you think of the result? What do you expect from the U.S. in Lisbon?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • I missed though joke. Typo? Auto-correct failure?

      If you’re laughing to insinuate this is an embarrassing result, you’re kind of just embarrassing yourself. A younger NT drawing a very good and older youth club side is a fine result, especially in the context of their first game together.

      Reply

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