U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team draws 1-1 against Scotland in Final Group B match at 2014 Aegean Cup

MANISA, Turkey – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team was held to a 1-1 draw by Scotland in the teams’ last Group B match at the 2014 Aegean Cup. The USA will next play in the championship match on Saturday where it faces tournament host Turkey.

Before playing Scotland, the USA (2-0-1; 7pts) had already secured a spot in the championship thanks to wins over reigning tournament champion France and Norway. Turkey (2-0-1; 7pts) needed a 1-0 win against Greece on Thursday to claim its fifth consecutive title game appearance. Ukraine and France also will meet Saturday to decided third and fourth place, respectively.

Joe Gallardo, now the USA’s joint leading scorer at the tournament with Christian Pulisic – each has two goals – put the USA ahead 1-0 early in the second half, only for Scotland to tie the match in the second to last minute.

The teams went into half time tied at 0-0 after the USA spurned a number of chances to take the lead as Pulisic went close to opening the goal scoring before teeing up a teammate, who’s shot rolled agonizingly wide of the right post.

The USA’s best chances in the first half were made possible by incisive play from midfielder Luca de la Torre, who set up Gallardo for the American’s opening chance of the second half.

Though Gallardo saw that opportunity saved, he did well to chest down Alexis Velela’s 30-yard pass and race beyond the Scotland defense before coolly lifting a shot over the Scotland goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 46th minute.

With only two minutes remaining, Scotland tied the match through Ross McCrorie, who was able to elude his marker to slide home an in-swinging cross at the back post.