The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team took a major step towards this fall’s Under-17 World Cup with a thorough beatdown of Honduras on Wednesday.
Josh Sargent bagged a brace, his fourth and fifth goals of the tournament, leading the way in a 3-0 win in Wednesday’s classification stage match. With the win, the U.S. equals Honduras on three points ahead of the group finale against Cuba. Honduras, though, will finish on those three points after topping Cuba, 7-1, in their opener.
Sargent bagged the opener in the 26th minute, setting the tone in a match the U.S. largely dominated. After weaving past the onrushing Honduras goalkeeper, Sargent was hacked down just outside the box, earning a free kick. Andrew Carleton whipped in the ensuing set piece, finding Sargent inside the six-yard box for a simple close-range finish top open the scoring.
Sargent’s second came late, pushing the scoreline to 3-0. On the end of a perfectly-weighted chipped pass from George Acosta, Sargent waited on the bounce before firing a half-volley finish to the far post, icing the game at 3-0.
Carleton was particularly active in the first half, creating several chances after providing the assist on the opener. In the 39th minute, the Atlanta United product weaved through the entire Honduras backline, creating one of a series of solid look as the U.S. pushed to end the half.
Andrew Carleton. The Future. pic.twitter.com/LJguUawl9e
— Jay (@JayStucchio) May 3, 2017
🔥 @andrewcarleton7 pic.twitter.com/WaoprnRG9D
— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) May 3, 2017
Carleton continued pushing in the second half, and was robbed of a goal on a 63rd minute goal-line clearance. Just moments later, the U.S. did find the insurance goal through Akinola, who broke free on the right side to get on the end of a Blaine Ferri through-ball. After taking a touch past the goalkeeper, Akinola fired into an open net with a defender draped over his shoulder, pushing the lead to 2-0 with his fourth of the competition.
Sargent’s goal came with 10 minutes remaining, all but locking up the team’s spot in the World Cup heading into Friday’s match against Cuba. Barring a catastrophic defeat, the U.S. remains the favorite to advance to the CONCACAF final, which is set for Sunday.
I can’t recall watching a better US u-17s team than this group. As impressive as they’re skill level has been, I’m even more impressed by there composure, confidence and killer instinct. Honduras came at them hard in the first 15 minutes and they absorbed it, adjusted and then grabbed the game by the throat and never let go. With previous u-17s this was the type of trap game where they’d have a let down. With this group it’s all business. Credit to Hackworth, but I think this is also a special group. Reminds me of the Adu/Altidore/Bradley led U-20s. I wonder how much having a near peer like Pulisic being so successful and professional has influenced them and given them confidence that they can be the best?
Are you advocating a 16 year old who has yet to play a minute of professional soccer should get a call up when he plays a position with decent depth. Who are you going to leave off the roster to make room for him Dempsey (#2 scorer all-time) Altidore (#3 scorer all-time) Wood (regular starter in Bundesliga with 9 goals this season) Morris (16 goals in a season and a quarter). If you look at other forwards both Altidore and Agudelo had been training with Red Bulls for over a year when first called in and even Pulisic had been playing and training with Dortmund’s first team for three months when he received his first call up. Let the kid develop and get some time playing against men instead of boys and then we can talk call ups.
Im just saying give him a shot and see how he fits. If he’s not ready, so be it but we need to do something up there. Dempsey is what 34? Morris is a one trick pony, Wood is a keeper and I have no use for Altidore, I saw more from that kid yesterday than any of them bring with the exception of a much younger Dempsey. Bring him along slowly but bring him along soon. He doesnt have to start or even play right now unless he beats out others
He looked that good because he’s playing against 16 and 17 year olds. He would not have that kind of time and space against men, he wasn’t ever marked on the corner kick, I doubt the Honduran Mens National Team would forget to mark a striker on a corner. He’s talented for a 16 year old and a prospect for the future, but to put him on the full national team for even a friendly is way beyond his current level. If he was good enough to be on the full national team he would be with the U20s right now prepping for the WC not with the U17s in Panama.
I watched the game and you know what? Call him up for a friendly now, he’s ready. He’s the real deal and is head and shoulders above the competition at this level. Physically he’s big enough and even better yet… he can dribble and create his own shot. At least bring him into a friendly camp and see if he can do the same against the older boys and if he can… give him some minutes. Malory Pugh does it on the women’s side, no reason he couldn’t too
Looking forward to how these kids (Weah, Sargent, Carleton, etc…) develop over the next couple years. These kids & those who are part of the U-20 age bracket are just entering the most critical stage of their development (18-22). The right club/coaching environment is crucial for them to reach their full potential.
Hopefully we’ll see more Pulisic types and fewer Adu’s.
I’d settle for some Lletget’s, Feilhaber, and Ngyuens instead of Gatt, Gyau, and Sheas. Its pretty unlikely that any of these guys will be starters in Qatar 2022 at age 22 and younger. We are talking about these guys being in their prime at North America 2026. As good as these guys are none of them are on the verge of featuring for even MLS teams. Of course who thought Pulisic would be starting for BvB a four months later, during the last U17 WC.
these boys are fun to watch.
Not yet is too young,but Sargent,Akinola,Carlenton,weha are under the look of several european
clubs,very well for the greal win
Weah is already at PSG and Carleton is already signed to Atlanta United, Akinola is with Toronto II right now. Sargent isn’t attached to a pro club and if he doesn’t have a Euro passport he can’t sign until he turns 18 for a European club, that’s why I was asking I know he has had trials but maybe he is waiting till he turns 18.
Does Sargent have a Euro passport or is that why he hasn’t signed with anyone
He does not have a Euro passport, he would be under SKC if he wanted to go the MLS route since St. Louis does not have a team as of yet. Belief seems to be that he is looking to Europe when he turns 18. He trained with Schalke and PSV already.