The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team finished the Nike International Friendlies as champions on Sunday, and their forward trio was in top form once again.
Ayo Akinola, Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah scored as the U.S. shut out Brazil 3-0. The victory clinched the 2016 Nike International Friendlies title for the Americans as they finished the tournament with three wins from three games, outscoring their opponents 15-2 in the process.
With the score tied 0-0 right before the half, the U.S. managed to break through the Brazilian defense as Chris Durkin picked out Akinola, who made no mistake to give the Americans the advantage at halftime. It took the U.S. just six minutes into the second interval for Sargent to double the lead. Weah added the third right before the full-time whistle.
Your 2016 #NikeFriendlies champions! pic.twitter.com/ohOlEmSLAV
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 5, 2016
Akinola, Sargent and Andrew Carleton combined to score 12 of the team’s 14 goals in the tournament. Carleton was held off the scoresheet, but was heavily involved throughout the match against Brazil.
With his latest strike, Akinola, a Toronto FC product, finishes 2016 as the USA’s top scorer with 19 goals. Sargent was second with 13, while Carleton came in third with 12.
I thought the game against Brazil was the weakest for the US. In the first 30 minutes, Brazil attacked well and dominated possession while the US played desperate defense and mostly hit long balls forward to the forwards (who might have scored earlier if not for a few poor touches).
In the early going, it looked like Brazil would win because the US backs seemed unable to handle the pressure they faced. As the US midfield got more into the game it relieved some of the pressure on the backs and they settled down a bit.
Despite what I thought were many moments of defensive weakness in the tournament, they gave up only 2 goals; a total scoreline of 15-2 against what are generally considered strong national programs is an outstanding result.
those things happen at this level, they’re 15 and 16 year olds, they’re gonna give away chances, just gotta learn from them.
With age group friendlies it’s often unclear whether this is the other team’s best squad. Maybe it is. Either way, any win over Brazil is welcome.
very impressive by this group, showed some real technique, as well as organization in the back. Any news on any European teams looking at any of these guys?
are any of these guys currently in the youth academies of any big clubs?
“Of the 20 players on the roster, only three: Carlos Dos Santos (Benfica), Dest Sergino (Ajax) and Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain), do not play for U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs.” – US Soccer
And Weah didn’t start or get many minutes because our attackers were doing so well. Akinola is TFC, Sargent is StLSG, Carleton is ATLUTD.
Without a European passport they are ineligible to train with a European club until they are 18.
they can train, just not transfer over, like how junior flores was with dortmund
We are wining the World Cup for sure now.
got a question here, are they playing these countries top u17 teams, or the B side?
Fantastic work guys. Simply stunning.
Would I liked most from this group was poise. They looked liked they came from a soccer powerhouse country.
Unbelievable.
Total score was 15-2. Just awesome.