U.S. U-17 MNT tops the Netherlands 2-1 at Nike International Friendlies

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Florida (Via U.S. Soccer) – Josh Sargent’s second half stoppage time strike lifted the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team to a dramatic 2-1 victory against the Netherlands Under-17 Men’s National Team on the second night of the 2015 Nike International Friendlies Friday at Premier Sports Campus.

It took the U.S. just four minutes to find the game’s first goal, when James Sands played Villegas toward the end line on the right. Villegas’ quick cross caught Dutch ‘keeper Terence Meuwese off guard as it deflected off his leg and into the net.

The Netherlands came close to tying the match in the 17^th minute when Peer Koopnmeiner sent a looping cross from the left which evaded the punch of U.S. ‘keeper Justin Garces before finding Mohamed Mallahi. The Dutch attacker made a good connecting header, but nodded his effort down and just wide.

Eleven minutes later, Garces would come up huge for the U.S. as a corner from the right was headed back across the goal before it fell for Sven Botman. The Dutch attacker played a quick, first-time attempt, but it was bravely turned away by Garces from point blank range before Thomas Buitnik’s follow-up header was placed over the bar.

In the 34^th minute, Dutch defender Joey Jacobs played a picture-perfect long ball for Buitnik at the penalty spot, where the Dutch forward volleyed an ambitious right-footed effort just over Garces’ goal.

Minutes later, Buitink slid into the box on the right, before placing a quick effort toward the back post, but Garces denied Holland once again, going down to his right with a great diving stop, which took the U.S. into halftime with the 1-0 lead.

The hosts nearly doubled their advantage in the 45^th minute when Adrian Villegas’ free kick from the left was nodded up in the air by a Dutch defender. The ball fell for Ayo Akinola at the top of the area, who hit a swerving one-time volley that scraped just over the cross bar.

Holland responded with a close chance of their own in the 49^th minute. Halftime substitute Daishawn Redan chipped a great ball for Buitnik who strolled into the U.S. box, but he placed his effort just right of the goal.

The Netherlands would gain a spot kick in the 61^st minute when a bouncing ball in the box appeared to be played by the arm of James Sands. Referee Rubiel Vazquez immediately pointed to the penalty spot where Juan Familia-Castilo tucked his effort under Justin Garces to bring the match level.

With backs against the wall, the U.S. had two golden chances at the end of the game. In the 79^th minute, Sands sprung Timothy Weah in behind the Dutch backline before the second half sub played square for Andrew Carleton at the top of the area. Carleton let loose a low, belting effort which Mewuese did well to get down to push out for a corner.

Into second half stoppage time, the U.S. pressed heavily on the Dutch back line and were rewarded when Josh Sargeant dispossessed a defender, galloped towards goal on the right and unleashed a lethal strike that beat Mewuese at the back post, giving the U.S. a dramatic 2-1 victory.

With the win, the U.S. (1-1-0) sits tied on three points with The Netherlands (1-1-0) and behind first-place England (2-0-0; 6 points), heading into Sunday’s final match day. The 2015 Nike International Friendlies conclude on Sunday, Dec. 6 as England takes on The Netherlands at 3 p.m. ET, followed by the U.S. against Brazil at 6 p.m. ET. Both matches can be seen live at youtube.com/ussoccer.