By FRANCO PANIZO
If seeing Mexico lift a second consecutive Gold Cup trophy was enough to leave a large gash in U.S. men's national team fans' egos, watching El Tri's youth team win the U-17 World Cup just two weeks later was probably like rubbing salt in the still-fresh wound.
Mexico won its second ever U-17 World Cup on Sunday, defeating Uruguay, 2-0, in front of packed crowd at Estadio Azteca. El Tri, which last won this tournament in 2005, was victorious on a first half goal from captain Antonio Briseno and a second half stoppage-time finish from Giovani Casillas.
With support good enough for a full national team match, Mexico got out on top when Briseno scored from close range in the 31st minute. The tournament hosts had help in avoiding an Uruguay equalizer as an Elbio Alvarez effort hit the crossbar. But that would be as close as the South Americans got as Casillas put the nail in the coffin with a counter-attack goal near the final whistle.
Major League Soccer was represented on the Mexican championship side, with starting goalkeeper and FC Dallas Academy product Richard Sanchez hailing from the Dallas area.
Mexico is now tied with Ghana for second-most U-17 World Cup titles with two apiece. Nigeria and Brazil have three each.
Here are the game highlights:
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What do you think of Mexico winning the U-17 World Cup? Not fazed by it? Wondering what it will take for the United States to produce talent capable of winning a youth World Cup?
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