U.S. U-23 MNT falls to England 1-0 in Olympic Qualifying warm-up

(Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team began its camp in England with a narrow 1-0 defeat against England at Deepdale Stadium in Preston, England.

A hard fought defensive effort was spoiled when England’s winning goal came after the Young Lions played a quick free kick and beat the recovering U.S. defense down the left side.

England a strong attack, bolstered by a number of Premier League regulars, but for most of the match the U.S. defenders proved equal to their counterparts.

The U.S. offense responded with a handful of strong attacks, with its best chance coming on a blast from Mario Rodriguez that England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford finger-tip saved on a dive.

The U-23’s will conclude their final camp before the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament when they play Qatar at Gigg Lane in Bury, England on sept. 8.

Game Notes:

• Emerson Hyndman, Zack Steffen, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Rubio Rubin and Matt Miazga, who each participated in the 2015 U-20 World Cup for the U.S., made appearances for the U-23’s in tonight’s match.
• Shane O’Neill made the start as captain.
• Gboly Ariyibi, Matt Polster, Eric Miller, Steffen, Miazga, Carter-Vickers, Hyndman and Wil Trapp made their first appearances with the U-23’s in 2015.

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

Match: United States U-23 vs. England U-21
Date: September 3, 2015
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Deepdale Stadium; Preston, England
Kickoff: 2:40 p.m. ET (7:40 p.m. Local)
Weather: 55 degrees cloudy

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

ENG- James Wilson                72nd minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Cody Cropper (12-Zack Steffen, 46); 3-Boyd Okwuonu (20-Oscar Sorto, 61), 19-Matt Miazga, 4-Shane O’Neill (capt.) (2-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 62), 15-Eric Miller (7-Dillon Serna, 86); 17-Jerome Kiesewetter, 8-Emerson Hyndman (21-Matt Polster, 63), 6-Wil Trapp, 13-Marc Pelosi (9-Gboly Ariyibi, 86) 18-Mario Rodriguez (23-Rubio Rubin, 63), 11-Alonso Hernandez (10-Luis Gil, 61)
Subs Not Used: 14-Benji Joya, 5-Will Packwood, 24-Maki Tall
Head Coach: Andi Herzog

ENG: 1-Jordan Pickford (13-Angus Gunn, 61); 2-Joe Gomez (12-Dominic Iorfa, 61), 5-Calum Chambers, 6-Eric Dier (15-Jack Stephens, 61), 3-Matt Targett (14-Kortney Hause, 61), 4-Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 8-James Ward Prowse (16-Nathaniel Chalobah, 61), 7-Jordon Ibe (19-Duncan Watmore, 61), 10-Dele Alli (10-Jake Foster-Caskey); 11-Nathan Redmond (Solly March, 61), 9-Cauley Woodrow (20-James Wilson, 61)
Subs Not Used: None
Head Coach: Gareth Southgate

Stats Summary: USA / ENG
Shots: 3 / 14
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 6
Fouls: 16 / 13
Offside: 1 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
Mario Rodriguez (caution)      18th minute           

Officials:
Referee                       Alan Mario San (MLT
Referee 2                    Roberto Vella (MLT)
Referee 3                    Luke Portelli (MLT)
4th official                   Steve Martin (ENG)