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U-23 USMNT trounces Bahamas in friendly

Luis Gil

By RYAN TOLMICH

With the score tied 1-1 early in the second half, it appeared that the Under-23 U.S. Men’s National Team was going to face a challenge in their matchup with the Bahamas national team.

However, a second-half goal explosion proved to be the difference between the two sides, as the U.S. scored four unanswered goals to knock off the Bahamas 5-1 at the Thompson A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.

The U.S. opened the scoring just before halftime with a 43rd minute finish from Alfred Koroma Shams. With the U.S. dominating posession in the Bahamas’ final third, the Texas native calmly finished from the center of the box with his second touch to give the U.S. the lead at the half.

The Bahamas equalized in the 55th via John Patrick, but the U.S. regained the lead just six minutes later on a Jordan Morris header. Morris’ finish came as a result of a U.S. free kick, as the ball ping-ponged around the box before finding it’s way to Morris, who headed up and over the Bahamas keeper to restore the U.S. advantage.

The U.S. added another just two minutes later from captain Luis Gil, who curled a free kick off the keeper’s hands and in to double the U.S. advantage. From there, Dennis Flores and Omar Salgado added goals in the 89th and 90th minute, respectively, to secure the 5-1 victory.

Check out highlights from the game after the jump:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2rYncQsc8U]

What do you think of the 5-1 U.S. victory? Who impressed you the most?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I did not see too many Bahamians supporting their team. Sad! Nevertheless , the USA should not gloat too much…they have something like 600,000,000 people in the USA to draw their players from and the Bahamas has only about 300,000…not even half a million…yet we were able to score against you …now…we can gloat about that! Hold yer heads up Bahamas…good job!

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  2. Good to know Brooks,Green, Holmes will be eligible for this team and hoping for the dual nationals devante parker and Zelalam

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  3. I’m assuming this was the senior national team for the Bahamas? If so, good idea. Play the big boys as much as possible, should help strengthen the mentality of the squad.

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    • He is starting to get some run with Vancouver and had a good loan spell with Charleston earlier in the season. He has the tools, just needs the playing time in order to develop.

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      • It looked like the angle for the pass might have been gone by the time he got full control of the ball. Plus, he provided a sweet assist on the fourth goal. I have no problem with him going for goal there.

      • Think he had an assist on a similar play early on.

        At least, pretty sure he was #9, and had the assist across the goal.

  4. Haven’t seen Koroma play in years since the U-20s or u-17s, I can’t remember which one. He looked raw and talented back then but just a little awkward. Seems to have grown into his body, and judging by that first highlight, he looked smooth, quick and agile.

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