U.S. U-16 BNT beats Romania in Aegean Cup opener [Video]

MANISA, Turkey (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-16 Boys’ National Team scored two second-half goals and defeated Romania 2-0 to kick off the 2015 Aegean Cup International Youth Tournament at Kirkagac Ilce Stadium.

The USA took first place in the tournament thanks to a 48th-minute goal from Justin Rennicks and an insurance goal by Adrian Villegas in the 69th minute. Juan Pablo Torres set up the Rennicks goal with a through ball from midfield that rolled through the middle of the Romania defense. Rennicks got behind the final defender and tapped inside the right of the frame for a 1-0 lead. Raul Aguilera earned the assist on the Villegas tally with a cross from the right side of the box.

Eric Lopez and the U.S. defense earned the clean sheet.

With Turkey and Norway playing to a scoreless draw on Monday, the USA grabs the early first-place lead in its group.

-U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Match Report-

Match: U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team (99-00) vs. Romania
Date: Jan. 19, 2015
Competition: 2015 Aegean Cup International Youth Tournament
Venue: Kirkagac Ilce Stadium
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. local
Weather: 60 degrees

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

USA – Justin Rennicks (Juan Pablo Torres)     48th minute
USA – Adrian Villegas (Raul Aguilera)             69

Lineups:
USA: 1-Eric Lopez; 2-Raul Aguilera, 4-McKay Eves (capt.), 5-Rayshaun McGann, 3-Jose Alfaro; 6-Juan Pablo Torres, 13-Jonathan Gonzalez (17-Marty Raygoza, 78), 10-Jose Carranza, 7-Justin Rennicks (16-Kyle Gruno, 78); 11-Adolfo Trujillo (15- Adrian Villegas, 63), 9-Lucas del Rosario (19-Leo Marquez-Ramirez, 63)
Subs not used: 12-Carlos Avilez, 18-Roger Batse, 20-Matthew Real
Coaches: Luchi Gonzalez and Shaun Tsakiris

ROU: 1-Adelin Ioan Iliescu; 2-Constantin Girjoaba, 4-Cristian Vasile Podina (14-Dan Mihai Berci, 72), 6-Radu Stefanita Boboc (15- Raul Florentin Cochinju, 79), 3-Constantin Cristian Dima (19- Denis Andrei Craciun); 7-Vlad Mihai Dragomir, 8-Rares Stefan Lazar (10-Mihai Ene, 56), 5-Alexandru Emanuel Petrus (18-Liviu Cosmin Gheorghe, 72), 11-Claudiu Valentin Micovschi; 9- Andrei Mezin (17-Alexandru Emanuel Petrus, 56), 13-George Danuj Ganea
Subs not used: 12-Andrei Daniel Vlad
Head Coach: Adrian Boingiu

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Eric Lopez (caution)      41st minute

Officials:
Referee: Emre Kargin

**PLEASE NOTE – Game was 80 minutes**