U.S. U-20 MNT opens FIFA U-20 World Cup with 2-1 win over Myanmar

WHANGAREI, New Zealand (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team opened up Group A play of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Myanmar at the Northland Events Center in Whangarei.

Maki Tall got the USA on the board in the first half after an early Myanmar lead, and U.S. captain Emerson Hyndman followed with the game-winner in the second half to guarantee the USA three points in its opening game of the tournament.

With the win, the USA (1-0-0) sits atop Group A standings with three points, followed by New Zealand (0-0-1) and Ukraine (0-0-1), who tied 0-0 earlier in the day. Myanmar (0-1-0) is last in the group with zero points following the loss.

With his goal in the first half, Tall now has three goals for the USA in 2015, a leading mark among players on the World Cup roster.

Next, the U.S. continues Group A play against host New Zealand on June 2 at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Kickoff is set for 3 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports Go and NBC Universo.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
MYA – Yan Naing Oo, 9th minute: Following a corner kick from Myanmar, the ball went into the box and various players from both teams scrambled to get ahold of it. U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen came out of the net to try and secure the ball; however, he was unable to control it, leaving an empty net for Naing Oo to find the ball and tap it inside the near post for the first score of the match.USA 0, MYA 1

USA – Maki Tall (Cameron Carter-Vickers), 17th minute: After Myanmar deflected a U.S. ball out of the playing field, U.S. captain Emerson Hyndman stepped up to take the corner for the USA. Hyndman sent a high, curved ball to the middle of the box, where Cameron Carter-Vickers got a light touch to redirect it to the right side of the box. Maki Tall was in position on the right to coral the ball and sent a right-footed kick to the back left corner of the goal to even up the game. USA 1, MYA 1

USA – Emerson Hyndman (Rubio Rubin), 56th minute: Rubio Rubin gained possession of the ball in the midfield and ran with it up to the outside of the Myanmar box where he found Emerson Hyndman making a long follow up run. Rubin sent a pass to the right side of the box where Hyndman had positioned himself. Hyndman got inside the box and wasted no time sending a perfect shot from about 12 yards out to the far post to put the USA ahead for good. USA 2, MYA 1 (FINAL)

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
MYA – Myo Min Latt, 30th minute: Emerson Hyndman set up to take a free kick from about 20 yards out on the right side of the box. His shot went straight to the barrier and rebounded right back at him. With his second effort, Hyndman sent a bullet right to the center of the net, where Myo Min Latt reacted quickly and jumped on the ball before Hyndman’s perfectly directed ball could cause any damage.

MYA – Myo Min Latt, 35th minute: Once again, Emerson Hyndman set up a set-piece play with another free kick. His ball flew over to the opposite side of the field onto the left side of the barrier where Matt Miazga awaited. The lanky defender jumped and downed the ball with a header towards Rubio Rubin who tried to turn and kick it with his left foot. Rubin’s attempt however was futile as Latt was alert and came out to punch the ball out of play.

MYA – Myo Min Latt, 50th minute: A pass from the left side by Jordan Allen led to chaos in the box as the ball seemed to disappear from everyone’s sights and slowly began rolling towards the back of the net. Hyndman finally caught a glimpse of it and attempted to give it a tap, however Latt saw it as well and covered it at the last second before it crossed the goal line.

USA – Shaquelle Moore, 74th minute: Despite giving up the early goal to Myanmar, the U.S. defense found its footing for the remainder of the match and made key plays throughout. After pushing for several minutes late in the game, Myanmar eventually got into U.S. territory and started threatening in the box. That’s when Moore made a key save while covering his player by heading a ball out of play that appeared to be headed straight to the net.

Additional Notes:

• The USA and Myanmar faced each other for the first time in the nations’ histories.
• Midfielder Emerson Hyndman wore the captain’s armband for only the second time. He made his debut as captain against Australia during a friendly on May 19.
• Hyndman’s goal was only his second international goal with the U-20s. He last scored during the USA’s 8-0 win over Aruba on Jan. 14 at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica.
• Maki Tall has scored in three of the five career games he has played with the U-20 MNT.
• The USA’s three substitutions of the game were: Gedion Zelalem for Joel Soñora, Tommy Thompson for Jordan Allen and Bradford Jamieson IV for Maki Tall, all coming in the second half.
• The defense was anchored by Shaquell Moore, Matt Miazga, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kellyn Acosta, who all played the entirety of the match.

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

Match: U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team vs. Myanmar U-20 Men’s National Team
Date: May 30, 2015
Competition: 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup New Zealand
Venue: Northland Events Center; Whangarei, New Zealand
Kickoff: 12:00 a.m. ET
Attendance: 5,816
Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy

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

MYA – Yan Naing Oo                                            9th minute
USA – Maki Tall (Cameron Carter-Vickers)              17
USA – Emerson Hyndman (Rubio Rubin)                 56

Lineups:
USA: 1-Zack Steffen, 2-Shaquell Moore, 4-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 5-Matt Miazga; 6-Kellyn Acosta, 15-Marky Delgado, 10-Joel Soñora (19-Gedion Zelalem, 55), 20-Jordan Allen (13-Tommy Thompson, 72), 8-Emerson Hyndman, 9-Rubio Rubin, 14-Maki Tall (11-Bradford Jamieson IV, 49).
Subs Not Used: 12-Thomas Olsen, 21-Jeff Caldwell, 3-John Requejo, 7-Paul Arriola, 16-Conor Donovan
Head coach: Tab Ramos

MYA: 1-Myo Min Latt, 3-Htike Htike Aung, 5- Nanda Kyaw (c), 6-Kyaw Min Oo, 8-Maung Maung Soe, 9-Aung Thu, 10-Than Paing, 11-Mg Mg Lwin, 15-Yan Naing Oo, 16-Myo Ko Tun, 17-Thiha Htet Aung
Subs Not Used: 2-Aung Moe Htwe, 4-Naing Lin, 7-Nyein Chan Aung, 12-Hlaing Myo Aung, 13-Yan Lin Aung, 14-Nan Wai Min, 18-Pyae Sone Chit, 19-Swan Htet Aung, 20-Myo Zaw Oo, 21-Wai Lin Aung
Head coach: Gerd Zeise

Stats Summary: USA / MYA
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 8 / 4
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 17 / 20
Offside: 4 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
MYA – Nanda Kyaw (caution)            5th minute
USA – Shaquelle Moore (caution)      67

Officials:
Referee: Bernard Camille (SEY)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Siwela (RSA)
Assistant Referee 2: Marius Tan (CIV)
Fourth Official: Aleg Atrokhov (RUS)