U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team falls 3-1 to host Northern Ireland at 2013 Milk Cup
DRUMAHOE, Northern Ireland – Despite scoring the opening goal for a second straight match, the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team fell to host Northern Ireland 3-1 at the 2013 Northern Ireland Milk Cup at Riverside Stadium.
Forward Alex Muyl gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. Michael Amick set up Muyl on that sequence and Muyl found the upper right corner of the net with a drifting shot past Northern Ireland goalkeeper Conor Thompson.
Northern Ireland (2-0-0) tied the score at 1-1 just before halftime as Paul McElroy scored the first of two goals following a scramble in the box on a deflected shot. Luke McCullough’s header off of a Liam Nolan free kick gave Northern Ireland a 2-1 lead in the 46th minute, and McElroy capped off the scoring on a counter attack in the 86th minute.
The U.S. is now 0-1-1 in this year’s tournament after opening with a 1-1 draw against Mexico on July 29. That match included a fifth-minute goal by Amando Moreno, only to see Mexico equalize late in the second half.
U-18 head coach Javier Perez made four starting lineup changes following the Mexico match. Brian Iloski, Andrija Novakovich, Christopher Lema and Muyl earned their first starts of the tournament against Northern Ireland.
In the other Elite division game on Wednesday, Mexico defeated Denmark 2-0 for its first win of the tournament to move to 1-0-1 and sit in second place ahead of the USA.
— U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team Match Report —
Match: U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team vs. Northern Ireland U-18 Men’s National Team
Date: July 31, 2013
Competition: 2013 Northern Ireland Milk Cup
Venue: Riverside Stadium; Drumahoe, Northern Ireland
Kickoff: 8 p.m. local
Weather: 60 degrees, rainy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
NIR 1 2 3
USA – Alex Muyl (Michael Amick) 24th minute
NIR – Paul McElroy 45+1
NIR – Luke McCullough (Liam Nolan) 46
NIR – Paul McElroy 86
Lineups:
USA: 1-Ethan Horvath; 3-Shaquell Moore, 5-Matthew Miazga, 14-Michael Amick, 17-John Requejo Jr. (11-Rubio Rubin, 63), 4-Jordan Allen (capt.), 7-Christopher Lema (6-Jacori Hayes, 54), 9-Lynden Gooch (15-Piakai Henkel, 82), 13-Brian Iloski (10-Amando Moreno, 54), 18-Andrija Novakovich, 8-Alex Muyl
Subs Not Used: 2-Trevor Haberkorn, 12-Santiago Castaño, 16-Ahinga Selemani
Head Coach: Javier Perez
NIR: 1-Conor Thompson; 3-Matthew Buchanan, 5-Patrick McNally (2-Jamie Sendels-White, 45), 6-Luke McCullough, 11-Rhys Sharpe, 4-Dominic Ball, 9-Aaron McEneff (7-David Morgan, 63), 8-Liam Nolan (10-Cameron McGeehan, 45), 18-Dion Charles (15-Andrew Mitchell, 46), 16-Paul McElroy, 14-Jamie Reid (17-Jonathan McMurray, 78)
Subs Not Used: 12-Conor Brennan, 13-Callum Camps
Head Coach: Stephen Craigan
Stats Summary: USA / NIR
Shots: 7 / 7
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 3 / 3
Fouls: 14 / 14
Offside: 1 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
NIR – Dominic Ball (caution) 20th minute
USA – John Requejo Jr. (caution) 56
NIR – David Morgan (caution) 80
USA – Matthew Miazga (caution) 88
