VIDEO: id2 National Selection team battles PSG, Reims in France
PARIS, France (Via US Club Soccer) – The third video journal chronicling the 2019 id2 National Selection International Tour is now available, showing the team’s two games in France against 2005 academy teams of PSG (3-1 loss) and Reims (3-0 win). The id2 National Selection team – made up of 18 top boys players (17 born in 2005, 1 born in 2006) – is at the end of a two-week journey highlighted by four games against top academies in Belgium and France.
A final video journal will be released in the coming days, wrapping up a memorable experience that was the first time the id2 Program traveled to Belgium and France. Overall, the id2 National Selection team finished the international tour with a 7-6 goal advantage in Belgium and 4-3 edge in France.
The first video journal introduced the roster, covered the first few days of a domestic camp in New Jersey and the arrival to Belgium. The second video journal features highlights and commentary from id2 Boys Program Director Gerry McKeown and several players after the squad’s games against Belgian sides KV Mechelen (April 2) and KRC Genk (April 4). This new third video journal includes highlights from the two French matches against PSG (April 6) and Reims (April 8), as well as sightseeing in Paris.
Similar to their fast start against KRC Genk, the Americans got out to an early 1-0 lead behind a strike from Sebastian Carbajal (Napa United 1839 Academy). He scored in the 11th minute, assisted by Anthony Castor (Soccer Nation KC Academy). But, PSG equalized in the second 25-minute period with a skillfully placed header. In the third and final frame, the French side took the lead for good after a controversial foul call in the box awarded a penalty kick. PSG converted that chance and with a few minutes left in the game, added another goal for insurance.
“The much awaited game against PSG – what was always going to be the highlight of our schedule – was very competitive, and I thought that we had opportunities to win the game,” said McKeown. “I was happier with how we played and how we competed. Overall, the game was a very good one for us to play in, and I thought we handled it okay, and could’ve had maybe a better result.”
After the PSG game, the delegation made a detour to visit the historic city of Versailles. The following day continued the cultural immersion with a bus ride into Paris and stops at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower. That night, the team enjoyed a Ligue 1 game between PSG and Strasbourg at Parc des Princes.
In the final match of the tour, the id2 National Selection squad again scored first – a habit the Americans made every game of the journey – en route to a 3-0 victory. The first goal was Carbajal’s in the 8th minute, which was his sixth of the four-game international schedule. Daniel Farberov (STA) found the back of the net in the 29th minute and then five minutes later, he assisted Dominic Dubon (Philadelphia Union Youth) for the ultimate 3-0 result.
The roster features 18 players from 17 clubs. These athletes are following in the footsteps of some of the U.S.’s brightest stars in the game. Notable id2 National Selection alumni include: Christian Pulisic (2012), Jonathan Gonzalez (2013), Tyler Adams (2013), Corey Baird (2010) and Timothy Weah (2013). Last month, McKeown named his All-Time Best XI alumni of id2 boys programming.
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