U.S. Under-17s fall to Nigeria, 2-0, in World Cup opener
SANTIAGO, Chile. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team was defeated 2-0 by Nigeria in the teams’ opening match of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. The match was scoreless for the first 49 minutes of play until Chukwudi Agor broke the tie with a goal in the 50th minute and then assisted on Victor Osimhen’s score eleven minutes later.
The U.S. had opportunities in the first half, producing some good chances down the left side where Christian Pulisic played the architect. The best came early, when in the 13th minute, Pulisic whipped in a cross from the left that Haji Wright hit over the bar from close range.
The MNT will look to bounce back in its second group game at Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar Chile on Tuesday, Oct. 20 against Croatia, but will have to do so without defender Austin Trusty, who was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute. That match will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2 and NBC Universo.
The team will conclude group play on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET against host Chile, a match that will also appear on FOX Sports 2 and NBC Universo.
A total of 24 countries are in Chile participating in the tournament. The top two teams in each group, as well as the best four third-place teams, advance to the Round of 16 on October 28 and 29.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
NGA- Chukwudi Agor, 50th minute: The USA defense dropped deep as Nigeria attacked from the right. As John Lazarus reached the edge of the box on the right he centered a cross. Austin Trusty stepped to it to clear it away, but mishit his clearance and the ball trickled across the box, where Chukwudi Agor ran onto it and blasted in the first goal of the game. USA 0, NGA 1
NGA- Victor Osimhen (Chukwudi Agor), 61st minute: Agor won a header off a short USA goal kick and immediately passed it up to Osimhen, who took couple of controlling touches and to get around the backpedaling U.S. defenders at the top of the box. Osimhen fired a left-footed shot from 14 yards out, which found the lower right corner of the goal and put the Nigerians up by a pair of goals.USA 0, NGA 2 (FINAL)
Coming up Next: #USAvCRO on FOX Sports 2 and NBC Universo
Location: Estadio Sausalito – Vina Del Mar, Chile
Date: Oct. 20, 2015
Opponent: Croatia
-U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Match Report-
Match: U-17 Men’s National Team vs. Nigeria
Date: Oct. 17, 2015
Competition: 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup – Group A
Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos; Santiago De Chile
Attendance: TBA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. local (4 p.m. ET)
Weather: 73 degrees; Partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
NGA 0 2 2
NGA – Chukwudi Agor 50th minute
NGA – Victor Osimhen (Chukwudi Agor) 61
Lineups:
USA: 1-Will Pulisic; 2-Matthew Olosunde (18-Tyler Adams, 67), 4-Auston Trusty, 5-Hugo Arellano (capt.), 3-John Nelson; 20-Alejandro Zendejas, 6-Eric Calvillo, 11-Josh Perez; 7-Haji Wright (8-Luca de la Torre, 64), 9-Joe Gallardo (17-Pierre da Silva, 83), 10-Christian Pulisic
Subs Not Used: 12-Kevin Silva, 13-Alexis Velela, 14-Tanner Dieterich, 15-Danny Barbir, 16-Tommy McCabe, 19-Brandon Vazquez, 21-Eric Lopez
Head Coach: Richie Williams
NGA: 1-Akpan Udoh; 2-John Lazarus, 4-David Enogela, 5-Lukman Zakari, 7-Funsho Bamgboye (8-Samuel Chukwueze, 81); 9-Victor Osimhen (20-Orji Okwonkwo, 90+3), 10-Kelechi Nwakali (capt.), 12-Chukwudi Agor (6-Kingsley Michael, 61), 14-Ejike Ikwu; 15-Udochukwu Anumudu, 17-Osinachi Ebere
Subs Not Used: 3-Tobechukwu Ibe, 11-Chinedu Madueke, 13-Joel Osikel, 16-Amos Benjamin, 18-Edidiong Essien, 19-Sunday Alimi, 21-Chisom Chiaha
Head Coach: Emmanuel Amunike
Stats Summary: USA / NGA
Shots: 5 / 19
Shots on Goal: 0 / 6
Saves: 4 / 0
Corner Kicks: 7 / 8
Offside: 0 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 13
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Auston Trusty (ejection) 87th minute
USA – Alejandro Zendejas (caution) 90+3
Officials:
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (GER)
Assistant Referee: Guido Kleve (GER)
Assistant Referee: Markus Haecker (GER)
4th official: Martin Strombergsson (SWE)
