U.S. U-17 MNT closes out Nike Friendlies today vs. Brazil

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (Via U.S. Soccer) – After defeating Portugal 7-1 and Turkey 5-1 in their first two meetings of the 2016 Nike International Friendlies, the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team looks to continue their streak of dominant performances when it takes on a strong Brazil team on Sunday.

Both teams have yet to experience defeat in the round-robin tournament, but the USA maintains the edge with six points over Brazil’s four. La Canarinho tied Portugal 3-3 on Friday after a wild, sharp-shooting contest that saw Brazil stave off defeat with a free kick equalizer in stoppage time from Alan Souza.

+Read: U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team routs Portugal at Nike Friendlies

Sunday’s Nike International Friendlies schedule begins with Turkey taking on Portugal at 1:30 p.m. ET followed by the U-17 MNT against Brazil at 5 p.m. ET, with the U.S. needing a draw or win to clinch the 2016 Nike International Friendlies championship. Fans can follow all the action LIVE on ussoccer.com, as well as U.S. Soccer’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

2016 Nike International Friendlies Tournament Standings & Schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 30
Brazil 4, Turkey 2
USA 7, Portugal 1 

Friday, Dec. 2
Portugal 3, Brazil 3
USA 5, Turkey 1

Sunday, Dec. 4
Turkey vs. Portugal – 1:30 p.m. ET
USA vs. Brazil – 5 p.m. ET

+Read: Braces by Akinola, Carleton leads U.S. U-17 MNT over Turkey 5-1

U.S. U-17 MNT Notes

• The U-17 MNT is 18-4-6 over 28 international matches in 2016.
• The two sides last met on March 22, where they tied 1-1 in the first match of the 44th Mondial Football de Montaigu tournament in France. Ayo Akinola scored the USA’s lone goal in second half stoppage time, assisted by Josh Sargent. Brenner Souza da Silva put Brazil on the scoresheet in the 35th minute of the 80-minute contest.
• In Brazil’s 3-3 draw vs. Portugal on Friday, Paulo Henrique was assisted by Vinicius Jr. in the 57th minute to open up the scoring Brazil. Vinicius Jr. then recorded his own tally with an assist from Matheus Stockl in the 85th, followed by Alan Souza’s free kick goal in second half stoppage time to tie the game.
• USA captain Josh Sargent is showcasing his top form this year, recording a hat trick in the match against Portugal and two assists in the win vs. Turkey.
• USA striker Andrew Carleton and Portugal’s Umaro Embalo are tied at four goals each in the race for the 2016 Nike Friendlies golden boot. However, Carleton’s one recorded assist edges out Embalo (no assists) in the tie-breaker.
• Six of seven goals in the USA’s 7-1 win vs. Portugal and three of the five goals in the match vs. Turkey were scored by players that hail from U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs.
• The U-17 MNT has only lost four out of 28 international matches played this year, with the losses coming vs. Romania, Turkey, Mexico and Panama.
• 14 players on the USA Nike International Friendlies roster are currently enrolled in U.S. Soccer’s 2016 Fall Residency program.
• Toronto FC Academy product Ayo Akinola leads the U-17 MNT in scoring with 18 goals in 2016. He is followed by St. Louis Scott Gallagher’s Josh Sargent and recent Atlanta United FC signing Andrew Carleton with 12 each.
• Timothy Weah, who scored in the 86th minute against Turkey, is the son of former FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah.
• The U.S. U-17 MNT is coached by John Hackworth.

U.S. U-17 MNT Roster for 2016 Nike International Friendlies:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Carlos Joaquim Dos Santos (S.L. Benfica; Philadelphia, Penn.), Justin Garces (Kendall SC; Miami, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Asensio (Atlanta United FC; Roswell, Ga.), Sergino Dest (Ajax; Almere-stad, Netherlands), Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), Carlos Ritaccio (BW Gotschee; Westbury, N.Y.), James Sands (New York City FC; Rye, N.Y.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Isaac Angking (New England Revolution; Providence, R.I.), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Tex.), Rayshaun McGann (Philadelphia Union; Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Indiana Vassilev (IMG Academy; Savannah, Ga.)
FORWARDS (5): Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ont.), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Bryan Reynolds Jr. (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Tex.), Joshua Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.) Timothy Weah (Paris Saint-Germain F.C.; Rosedale, N.Y.)

2016 U-17 MNT Results

Record 17-4-7 (28 matches, 27 international)