U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team defeats Mexico 1-0 in friendly

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Via U.S. Soccer) – In the first of four international friendlies, where the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team faces Concacaf counterparts Mexico and Costa Rica two times apiece, the USA took down rivals Mexico 1-0 via a last second strike from Alfonso Ocampo Chavez.

The teams will meet again on Aug. 12, after the U.S. faces Costa Rica on Aug. 7 and 10.

Consisting of two, 40-minute halves against El Tri, the match marked the USA’s first faceoff against its southern rivals during the current player cycle. After a scoreless game for 79 minutes of action came down to the final minute of regulation, 2018 U-16/17 Development Academy Champion Ocampo Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC) scored a dagger at the death to stun Mexico.

The ball was played to second half substitute Jahlane Forbes, who cut in field from the left wing and dribbled towards goal. Sweeping along the top right of the penalty box, Forbes’ pass snuck past the Mexico defense and hit the feet of Ocampo Chavez. The striker’s first touch was towards goal and he lifted a shot towards the far post. Mexico goalkeeper Arturo Delgado got a touch on the ball, but not enough to prevent the strike from trickling into the back post’s side netting.

Twenty-one of the 23 players called into camp have played or currently play for clubs in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. All 23 players on the roster were born in 2002 or later – the age cut off year for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The victory marks the first win against Mexico for the U-17 MNT since the 2000 birth-year group took down El Tri in the group stage of the 2017 Concacaf U-17 Championship.

– U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team vs. Mexico
Date: Aug. 6, 2018
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Proyecto Goal; Alajuela, Costa Rica
Kickoff: 11 a.m. ET
Weather: 80 degrees; Partially cloudy

Scoring Summary:                  1          2          F
USA                                         0          1          1
Mexico                                    0          0          0

USA – Alfonso Ocampo Chavez (Jahlane Forbes)       80^th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Damian Las; 2-Joseph Scally, 4-Mason Judge, 5-Axel Alejandre, 3-Kobe Hernandez (24-Michael Barragan, 72); 6-Adam Saldaña, 8-Gilbert Fuentes (16-Daniel Flores, 60), 10-Giovanni Reyna (Capt.), 11-Andres Jasson (23-Jahlane Forbes, 60), 9-Alfonso Ocampo Chavez, 7-Ray Serrano (17-Sagir David Arce, 60)
Subs not used: 12-Chituru Odunze, 12-John Tolkin, 14-Tayvon Gray, 15-Antino Lopez, 18-Peter Stroud, 19-Diego Lopez, 20-Benjamin Redzic, 21-Tyler Freeman
Head Coach: John Hackworth            

MEX: 1-Arturo Delgado; 2-Vilchis Leonardo, 3-Gabriel Martinez (13-Jorge Garcia, 36), 4-Jesus Gomez, 5-Edgar Aguliar; 7-Ever Corona (22-Jair Gonzalez, 41), 8-Kevin Ortega, 6-Eugenio Pizzuto (Capt.), 11-Bruce El Mesmarie (18-Luis Martinez, 69); 9-Roman Martinez, 10-Leonardo Correa (21-Israel Luna, 56)
Subs Not Used: 12-Eduardo Garcia, 14-Lara Emilio, 15-Alberto Rios, 16-Jose Ruiz, 17-Kevin Mariscal, 19-Alvan Effrain, 20-Cesar Mata, 23-Arturo Delgado

Stats Summary: USA / MEX
Shots: 3 / 6
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 10 / 11
Fouls: 1 / 4
Offside: 1 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
MEX – Bruce El Mesmarie (caution)  42^nd minute
USA – Adam Saldana (caution)          47
USA – Axel Alejandre (caution)          54
MEX – Kevin Ortega (caution)            67
USA – Daniel Flores (caution)             75
USA – Giovanni Reyna (caution)        78

Officials:

Note: Match was 80 minutes on natural grass