U.S. U-23 MNT downed 2-1 by Costa Rica at Toulon Tournament

SAINT RAPHAEL, France (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-23 Men’s National team fell to Costa Rica in its third game of the 2015 Toulon Tournament, 2-1.

For the third-straight game the U.S. surrendered the first goal of the game, this time on a 23rd minute free-kick from Costa Rica’s Ronald Matarrita. The U-23’s responded seven minutes later when Fatai Alashe smashed in an equalizer to send the teams in to halftime knotted up at 1-1.

In the second half, a U.S. miscue off a goal kick resulted in a quick counter and goal from David Ramirez, the Tournament’s leading goalscorer with three tallies. As the clock ticked away the U.S did everything it could to put in a tying goal, including subbing in center back Will Packwood as a striker, looking to turn his size and strength into a scoring opportunity, but could not find the back of the net despite creating a number of chances.

The U.S. now sits in the No. 4 slot of Group A trailing France, the Netherlands and Costa Rica in the hunt for a pivotal top two spot that grants teams a trip to the June 7 placement matches. France currently tops the group, followed by the Netherlands, who defeated Qatar 4-1 in the day’s other match. The U.S. U-23’s are not out of the running yet, but are no longer in the driver’s seat. They will need a win in the June 2 match against Qatar and some help from France, which will play both Costa Rica and Netherlands in its final two games.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
CRC – Ronald Matarrita, 23rd minute: A U.S. foul set Costa Rica up with a free kick from just outside the box on the upper right side. Matarrita took a strike at goal and bent in a perfectly placed ball that just cleared the wall and curled inside the left post and past diving U.S. goalkeeper Charlie Horton. USA 0, CRC 1

USA – Fatai Alashe, 30th minute: Julian Green took the ball past the midfield line and lofted a terrific spinning ball into the box to an open Jordan Morris, who headed it down and lightly touched it past the keeper at the goal. The ball slowly rolled toward the corner, where it bounced off the post, but Fatai Alashe was there to smash in the rebound to level the game.USA 1, CRC 1

CRC – David Ramirez 54th minute: U.S. ‘keeper Charlie Horton passed a goal kick in the direction of center back Shane O’Neill, who had to quickly turn to get it away to safety. On the ensuing quick throw-in, Costa Rica worked the ball to David Ramirez, who broke free from the U.S. defense and finessed a shot over Horton and into the goal. USA 1, CRC 2 (FINAL)

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Charlie Horton (Save), 21st minute: Costa Rica intercepted a USA pass and broke on a quick counter, laying the ball forward to Ronald Matarrita. Matarrita was free for a shot on goal from just inside the box, but didn’t get all of it with his left foot. The resulting goal-bound shot was scooped up by Horton.

Next on the Schedule:
The U-23 MNT will play its final Group Stage match of the Toulon Tournament against Qatar on Tuesday, June 2 at Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny in Aubagne, France

Broadcast information: 12 p.m. ET BeIN SPORT

Additional Notes:

• Jalen Robinson, who earned his first cap with the U-23 MNT in the game against the Netherlands, earned his first start today against Costa Rica.
• Shane O’Neill made the start at center back and captained the team. He is the only player to have started and played the full game in all six of the U-23s game’s this year.
• Fatai Alashe’s goal was his second of 2015. He last scored in the U.S.’s 5-2 win over Bosnia in March.

– U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team vs. Costa Rica
Date: May 31, 2015
Competition: 2015 Toulon Tournament (Group play)
Venue: Stade Louis Hon; Saint-Raphael, France
Kickoff: 5 p.m. local time
Attendance: 550
Weather: 79 degrees, Sunny

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

CRC – Ronald Matarrita           23rd minute
USA – Fatai Alashe                  30
CRC – David Ramirez             54

Lineups:
USA: 12-Charlie Horton; 20-Tyler Turner (3-Boyd Okwuownu, 59), 4-Shane O’Neill, 18-Jalen Robinson (Will Packwood, 73),Dillion Serna;16- Julian Green (2-Juan Pablo Ocegueda, 61), 10-Marc Pelosi, 13-Fatai Alashe, 9-Jordan Morris (15-Alfred Koroma Shams, 59); 17-Jerome Kiesewetter, 11-Alonso Hernandez
Subs Not Used: 1-Cody Cropper, 6-Sam Strong, 8-Benji Joya, 14-Dan Metzger, 22-Tyler Miller
Head coach: Andreas Herzog

CRC: 1-Carlos Martinez; 11-John Jairo Ruiz (12-Ulises Segura, 53), 6-William Quiros, 13-Steve Garita, 3-Julio Cascante (14-Bryan Espinoza, 77); 15-Joseph Mora, 10-Dylan Flores, 20-Cristian Martinez, 8-Luis Sequira; 7-David Ramirez (5-Willian Fernandez, 69)
Subs Not Used: 9-Francisco Rodriguez, 16-Randy Yormein Chirino, 17-Ariel Lassiter, 18-Darryl Jared Parker, 19-Mauricio Ayales
Head coach: Luis Fernando Fallas Arias

Stats Summary: USA / CRC
Shots: 7 / 7
Shots on Goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 6 / 2
Fouls: 6 / 12
Offside: 1 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Shane O’Neill (caution)                      12th Minute
CRC – Julio Cascante (caution)                      57
CRC – Steve Garita (caution)                          62
CRC – Carlos Andres Martinez (caution)        79
USA – Alonso Hernandez (caution)                 83

Officials:
Referee: Oscar Macias Romo (Mex)
Assistant Referee: Lopez Carillio (Mex
Assistant Referee 2: Valenciano Torres

ussocer.com Man of the Match: Fatai Alashe