U.S. U-20 MNT defeats Australia in World Cup tune-up

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA (Via U.S. Soccer) – The Under-20 Men’s National Team defeated Australia’s Under-20 team 2-1 Tuesday evening at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia. After conceding a goal just 15 minutes into the match, the USA used second-half goals from Joel Soñora and Maki Tall to defeat the hosts in a World Cup tune-up.

Australia took the lead when right-winger Awer Mabil played a ball into the area that midfielder Stefan Mauk was able to re-direct to the near post.

U.S. forward Tommy Thompson came the closest to leveling, only to have two attempts hit woodwork, once in the first half when a 20-yard shot hit the left post, and then early in the second half when his header off a Shaq Moore cross hit the right post.

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The USA’s tying goal came minutes after both teams subbed in a combined five players at the hour mark. Thompson set up Joel Soñora who looked up from 25 yards and curled a shot to the far right post for his first goal with this age group.

The tie lasted all of 45 seconds as U.S. forward Maki Tall picked a ball off an Australian defender and put it away to give the USA the 2-1 lead.

The U.S. will play Serbia next week in a closed door match that will serve as the final test before the start of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

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The U.S. was drawn into Group A with host New Zealand, Ukraine and Myanmar. The team opens group play against Myanmar at 12 a.m. ET on May 30 in Whangarei, followed by matches with New Zealand on June 2 and Ukraine on June 5, both of which will be played in Auckland. All of the U.S.’s group matches will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 and NBC Universo.

-U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team Match Report-

Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Australia U-20 Men’s National Team
Date: May 19, 2015
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, Australia
Kickoff: 6 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET)
Attendance: 600
Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy

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

AUS – Stefan Mauk (Awer Mabil)                     15th minute
USA – Joel Soñora (Tommy Thompson)           60
USA – Maki Tall (unassisted)                            61

Lineups:
USA: Zack Steffen, Shaquell Moore (Kellyn Acosta, 59), Cameron Carter-Vickers, Matt Miazga, Desavio Payne (John Requejo, 74), Marco Delgado, Joel Soñora, Emerson Hyndman, Paul Arriola (Gedion Zelalem, 59), Maki Tall, Tommy Thompson,
Substitutions Not Used: Jeff Caldwell, Thomas Olsen, Jordan Allen, Russell Canouse.
Head coach: Tab Ramos

AUS: 12-Jordan Holmes, 4-Scott Galloway (c) (3-Daniel Alessi, 83), 6-Liam Rose (9-George Blackwood, 73), 8-Liam Youlley (11-Alusine Fofanah, 59), 13-Brandon Borrello (17-Steve Kuzmanovski, 73), 14-Jaushua Sotirio (15-Adam Berry, 73), 16-Awer Mabil (7-Shannon Brady, 59), 19-Stefan Mauk, 20-Thomas Deng, 22-Riley Woodcock (21-Alex Gersbach, 59), 23-Jonathan Aspropotamitis
Substitutions Not Used: 1-Tom Glover, 2-Shayne D’Cunha, 12-Jordan Holmes, 18-Tom Heward-Belle,
Head coach: Paul Okon

Stats Summary: USA / AUS
Shots: 13 / 7
Shots on Goal: 4 / 4
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 6 / 6
Fouls: 12 / 8
Offside: 0 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Chris Young
Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher
Assistant Referee 2: James Cleal
Fourth Official: Trent Nash