Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com
After a few days together in a training-camp setting in Germany, the U.S. Under-23 national team got to take to the playing field on Friday and turned in a positive result.
Tony Taylor scored the go-ahead goal, while Terrance Boyd and Dilly Duka also got on the board as the U.S. U-23s topped a reserve side from German club VfL Bochum, 3-1, in a scrimmage.
Sean Johnson got the start in goal for the United States; Sheanon Williams, Ethan White, Royal-Dominique Fennell and Zarek Valentin started in defense; Joe Corona, Amobi Okugo, Mixx Diskerud and Greg Garza started in the midfield, and Juan Agudelo and Boyd began the match up top, according to U.S. Soccer.
The Under-23s have a second match slated for Friday against Azerbaijan's U-21 side, with a different crop of players from the 36-man camp set to play.
Here are a few more stories to get your day rolling:
AGUERO INJURED WITH ARGENTINA
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero suffered a groin injury while training with Argentina ahead of its World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. The extent of the injury is unknown, but he has been ruled out of Friday's match against Bolivia and is doubtful for Tuesday's quailfier against Colombia
It's not the first time Aguero has suffered a groin injury this season, as he was forced to miss a couple weeks in October for the same ailment.
LAMPARD GETS ENGLAND CAPTAINCY
Frank Lampard has inherited the captain's armband for England for the country's friendly against Spain on Saturday.
With usual captain John Terry relegated to the bench, Lampard will lead the Three Lions for the second time in his career. It is not expected to be a permanent switch, though, as Terry is slated to start against Sweden on Tuedsay.
Despite the controversy surrounding Terry and allegations of racist remarks that he made to Anton Ferdinand, Fabio Capello has insisted that dropping Terry to the bench is not punishment and that he is fully behind the Chelsea centerback.
VILLAS-BOAS CHARGED BY FA
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has been charged by the FA with improper conduct after making critical comments about referee Chris Foy following a loss to Queens Park Rangers earlier this season.
Villas-Boas said that Foy was "card happy" after two Chelsea players were sent off and a handul others were booked in the 1-0 result, and he added that "Chris and his team managed to play an emotional game and they conceded to the crowd and committed tremendous mistakes."
The extend of Villas-Boas' punishment has not yet been determined.
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What do you think about the U-23s result? Think Argentina and/or Manchester City could be in trouble without Aguero? Do you read into England's captaincy switch at all? Think Villas-Boas deserves to be punished for his comments?
Share your thoughts below.
I’m completely with the FA.
Chelsea is lucky they didn’t finish that match with 6 guys. Card happy? He didn’t give enough cards in what was one of the dirtiest games I’ve ever seen.
Yeah, good to see, did not realize Corona was even on the team. Can’t wait for the olympic qualifying matches…
Aquero injured, not Aqudelo, woooo!
I don’t know Garza and Royal-Dominique Fennell. Anyone have a scouting report on those guys? Much appreciated.
absolutely; my heart sunk for a moment.
BURN!
+1
Galaxy should be trying to sign this guy in the offseason
“Listed” by whom? USSF lists him as a midfielder.
That said, I believe he does usually line up as a left back.
?????
Nice to see Corona get the start in the US midfield. Also interesting that Garza got a start in midfield, he is listed as Defender if I’m not mistaken.
What is with the 4-4-2….I thought we were running a 4-3-3 system wide?
My god, this team is deep. I’m so freaking excited, I know that its a reserve side, but this team is fascinating.
Yep. Scared me to death haha.
TRICK LOVE THE KIDS. CLASSIC +2. 😀
I asked them on Twitter and they said they’d post some photos and a recap on the YNT blog but I’m not sure if videos will be posted.
Yes- think he is w Traffic: that said, he seems to be establishing himself w his 2nd division club in Portugal and getting consistent minutes in a starting attacking role. According to YA reports. If he continues to start, and his club is competitive-?, then seems like a good place to be for now.
Yeah at first I thought it was Agudelo who got injured and had to re-read again and saw it was Aguero. 🙂
Lol me
will there be video highlights posted on ussoccer?
haha. me too. i was like OH HELL NO, Juan is hurt!!
That being said, wow, i’m so amped to see these U-23 / U-20 teams. Especially after we didn’t get to see all our young talent in the U-20 World Cup, i’m so curious to see this team. TRICK LOVE DA KIIIIDS!
Isn’t taylor signed with Traffic Sports? I know these guys are trying to eek out a living but why do people still deal with these clowns?
+1. Sounds like a positive result. Would have liked to watch it somehow.
Anyone else after reading U-23’s top Bochum see Agudelo instead of Aguero?
sounds like a good start…
Ives- Who do you think the US will bring in as the Over Age players??