After just three games, the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team is out of the Under-17 World Cup.
The U.S. suffered a 4-1 defeat to hosts Chile on Friday, a result that knocked the U.S. after just three group stage contests. With the loss, the U.S. finishes on just one point after falling to Nigeria and squandering a two-goal lead in a draw with Croatia.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Brandon Vasquez, whose finish was his second in as many games for the lone U.S. highlight.
Vasquez pounced on a Croatia mishit, as the host team’s defense failed to properly clear a Luca de la Torre through ball. Vasquez was lying in wait, and the U.S. forward took full advantage in firing a shot to the far post to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
That lead lasted just 10 minutes when the U.S. suffered from a mis-clearance of their own. A ball into the U.S. box was shanked right into the path of Chile captain Marcelo Allende, whose shot left goalkeeper William Pulisic with no chance as the scoreline was leveled at one apiece.
Chile pounced with another goal in the 52nd, one that featured plenty of controversy.
With William Pulisic sliding for the ball, Chile’s Gabriel Mazuela’s hand appeared to bump the ball out of the goalkeeper’s hands. Mazuela pounced and fired to the far post and, despite U.S protests, the goal was confirmed as Chile took a 2-1 lead.
The U.S. registered few chances in the second half, as Chile remained the better of the two teams throughout a chippy second stanza.
Chile found their dagger in the 86th minute through Gonzalo Jara. Receiving the ball at the top right of the box, Jara’s left-footed curler cruised right into the top right corner.
A stoppage time finish from Camilo Moya added insult to injury, sealing the U.S.’s first group stage elimination since 2001.