Photo by ISIphotos.com
By ADAM SERRANO
The United States run for glory at the U-17 World Cup hit a major bump in the road on Wednesday.
Wilmer Cabrera's boys were unable to mount a comeback against Uzbekistan, falling 2-1 against the Central Asian nation. For the second match in a row, second half substitute Alfred Koroma was able to score on his first touch of the ball, but it was not enough for the young Americans.
A costly giveaway by defender Zach Carroll in the 12th minute of play allowed Bobir Davlatov to put the Uzbeks up early. Koroma was able to equalize for the Americans after being inserted into the game at halftime, but as the game wore on, the match became an increasingly physical affair.
The Americans had difficulties dealing with this and the Uzbeks soon found the winner from captain Abbosbek Makhstaliev after a dubious penalty was called on Carroll. The Americans pushed forward as the match wore on, but were unable to find the decisive goal.
With the loss and the Czech Republic's victory over New Zealand all of the teams in Group D can potentially place anywhere from first place to last. The United States takes on New Zealand at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca on Saturday with a win clinching the Americans a place in the knock out stages.
Highlights below:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rACNWbNN_o]