U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team scores late equalizer for 2-2 draw against Canada

The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team scored a late equalizer and earned a 2-2 draw against Canada on Friday at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif.

U.S. midfielder Amando Moreno, making just his second appearance for the U-18 MNT, converted a deflected ball in the box in the 87^th minute to help the U.S. collect a draw in the second of two matches against Canada.

Second-half sub Kosta Koukladas slotted the ball forward for Zach Pfeffer, who then sent a low cross across the box that deflected off Benji Lopez and Canada’s goalkeeper before settling in front of Moreno for a quick tap in.

The game started off quickly with both teams scoring in the first seven minutes.

Pfeffer, who plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, opened the scoring in the second minute with a nice finish in the box following a low cross from Paul Arriola.

Canada then responded with a goal just five minutes later to level the score at 1-1 as Dylan Sacramento’s hard shot from the edge of the box snuck by goalkeeper Zack Steffen. Canada grabbed a 2-1 lead in the 82^nd minute as Yacine Ait-Slimaine converted a bouncing ball in the box following a corner kick. Steffen got his body on the shot, but it was not enough to prevent the goal.

For the second straight match, the U.S. outshot Canada, posting a 15-8 edge in shots, including 4-3 on goal.

The U.S. is unbeaten in three straight games dating back to a 4-2 win on Sept. 11. against the Netherlands.

–U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team Match Report–

Match: U.S. Under-18 MNT vs. Canada Under-18 MNT
Date: Nov. 23, 2012
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: U.S. Soccer National Training Center; Carson, Calif.
Kickoff: 3 p.m. PT
Attendance: 400
Weather: 62 degrees

Scoring Summary:           1              2              F
USA                                  1              1              2
CAN                                  1              1              2

USA – Zach Pfeffer (Paul Arriola)                                              2nd minute
CAN – Dylan Sacramento (Sebastian Cabrera)                            7
CAN – Yacine Ait-Slimaine                                                       82
USA – Amando Moreno                                                           87

Lineups
USA: 1-Zack Steffen; 23-Travis Wannemuehler, 5-Michael Amick, 4-Trevor Haberkorn (16-Matthew Miazga, 56), 3-Suliaman Dainkeh (13-Jacori Hayes, 46) (17-Kosta Koukladas, 85); 8-Marco Delgado, 6-Kellyn Acosta (capt.), 7-Paul Arriola (20-Amando Moreno, 46); 10-Piakai Henkel (24-Brian Iloski, 56), 9-Ben Spencer (14-Benji Lopez, 70), 11-Zach Pfeffer
Subs not used: 2-Jordan Allen, 22-Santiago Castaño, 18-Justin Dhillon, 12-Ethan Horvath, 15-Jalen Markey, 19-Antonio Murillo, 21-Christian Sady
Head Coach: Javier Perez

CAN: 1-Nolan Wirth (18-Mark Rogal, 67); 16-Stephan Almeida, 13-Quinton Duncan, 6-Jackson Farmer, 4-Sam Adekugbe (9-Mark Wadid, 56); 7-Yacine Ait-Slimaine, 8-Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare (capt.), 17-Michael Wagerkneckht, 11-Ali Musse; 3-Dylan Sacramento (12-70), 2-Sebastian Cabrera
Subs not used: 18-Mark Rogal, 15-Adam Bradshaw, 12-Matty Vusyltke, 14-Kyle Richards, 10-Brody Huitema
Head Coach: Robert Gale

Stats Summary: USA / CAN
Shots: 15 / 8
Shots on Goal: 4 / 3
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 12
Offside: 1 / 6

Misconduct Summary
CAN – Quinton Duncan (caution)                             29th minute
USA – Paul Arriola (caution)                                    37
USA – Trevor Haberkorn (caution)                           51
CAN – Stephan Almeida                (caution)             89

Referees:
Official: Reed Christy
Assistant Referee 1: Brandon Charman
Assistant Referee 2: Cesar Calderon
4th Official: John Herm