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From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center:
U-17 MNT TAKES DOWN PERU 1-0 TO ADVANCE TO FINAL
OF TORNEO INTERNACIONAL SUB-17 IN ARGENTINA
USA Captain Jared Jeffrey’s PK Provides the Lone Goal
Sierra Mist Man of the Match Zac MacMath Earns Shutout
U.S. to Face Argentina in Championship Match on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. (local time)
SAN LUIS, Argentina (October 10, 2006) — The United States U-17 Men’s National Team defeated Peru Tuesday night, 1-0, at the Estadio Juan Gilberto Funes, advancing to face host Argentina in the championship match of the Torneo Internacional Sub-17 in San Luis, Argentina. Jared Jeffrey converted a penalty kick in the 67th minute and goalkeeper Zac MacMath made three saves to lead the U.S. to Friday’s final that will kick off at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET). Argentina defeated New Zealand 4-0 in the opening match to reach the final.
Both teams endured difficult conditions as the wind gusted up to 30 miles throughout the match, but it was an aggressive U.S. team that imposed their will in the second half that ultimately proved the difference in the match.
“It was an extremely difficult environment to play in for both teams because of the wind,” said U.S. coach John Hackworth. “I thought we were a much better team in the second half. We had a much more aggressive mentality on both sides of the ball, and as a result we created a bunch more opportunities. Give Peru full credit. They put us under a tremendous amount of pressure. In the end, I think it was important to get a good result tonight, and I believe we earned it.”
With the wind blowing hard from the opening whistle, both sides struggled to adjust to the unpredictability and the result was a match that involved high pace but lacked rhythm. Peru created the first good chance of the match three minutes in, when a free kick delivered from 40 yards out on the left side of the goal curled dangerously across the six-yard box, forcing U.S. goalkeeper Zac to parry the ball around the far post.
Both sides tried to use the gusts of wind to their advantage, each team nearly producing positive results. In the 11th minute, U.S. midfielder Danny Wenzel was dispossessed 45 yards from his own goal by Peruvian midfielder Brian Salazar, who quickly launched a crafty effort to catch MacMath off his line. The ‘keeper got back to his line in time, pushing the ball just over the cross bar. Jared Jeffrey undertook a similar effort in the 22nd minute, this time from a dead ball 40 yards out. His swerving delivery confused the Peruvian defense, forcing the goalkeeper off his line and nearly colliding with his retreating center back. The defender was barely able to skim the ball out of danger.
Chances came few and far between for the remainder of the opening stanza, but Peru nearly snatched a goal just before the halftime whistle. Earning a corner kick during the first minute of stoppage time, the Peruvian corner crisscrossed the box and landed at the feet of Jairo Hernandez, who stood alone eight yards from goal. His low strike beat MacMath, but defender Ryan Gracia had come in to cover from behind and slid to block the shot off the goal line to preserve the 0-0 scoreline.
The U.S. made three substitutions to start the half, and immediately demonstrated more menace in their approach. Their first opportunity came in the 48th minute when a failed clearance in the box left Jeffrey with time to unload from 15 yards out. The shot was blocked, but fell to the feet of second-half sub Jesse Paredes who took his turn at goal, forcing a point-blank save from Peruvian ‘keeper Cesar Ruiz.
Ruiz would become his own worst enemy, however, charging into Sheanon Williams from behind in the 67th minute when Williams had traveled along the goal line to receive a cross from Ellis McLoughlin. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Jeffrey made no mistake with the opportunity, curling a low shot into the left side panel past Ruiz to give the U.S. the advantage.
“I’m confident when I go up
U-17 MNT TAKES DOWN PERU 1-0 TO ADVANCE TO FINAL
OF TORNEO INTERNACIONAL SUB-17 IN ARGENTINA
USA Captain Jared Jeffrey’s PK Provides the Lone Goal
Sierra Mist Man of the Match Zac MacMath Earns Shutout
U.S. to Face Argentina in Championship Match on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. (local time)
SAN LUIS, Argentina (October 10, 2006) — The United States U-17 Men’s National Team defeated Peru Tuesday night, 1-0, at the Estadio Juan Gilberto Funes, advancing to face host Argentina in the championship match of the Torneo Internacional Sub-17 in San Luis, Argentina. Jared Jeffrey converted a penalty kick in the 67th minute and goalkeeper Zac MacMath made three saves to lead the U.S. to Friday’s final that will kick off at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET). Argentina defeated New Zealand 4-0 in the opening match to reach the final.
Both teams endured difficult conditions as the wind gusted up to 30 miles throughout the match, but it was an aggressive U.S. team that imposed their will in the second half that ultimately proved the difference in the match.
“It was an extremely difficult environment to play in for both teams because of the wind,” said U.S. coach John Hackworth. “I thought we were a much better team in the second half. We had a much more aggressive mentality on both sides of the ball, and as a result we created a bunch more opportunities. Give Peru full credit. They put us under a tremendous amount of pressure. In the end, I think it was important to get a good result tonight, and I believe we earned it.”
With the wind blowing hard from the opening whistle, both sides struggled to adjust to the unpredictability and the result was a match that involved high pace but lacked rhythm. Peru created the first good chance of the match three minutes in, when a free kick delivered from 40 yards out on the left side of the goal curled dangerously across the six-yard box, forcing U.S. goalkeeper Zac to parry the ball around the far post.
Both sides tried to use the gusts of wind to their advantage, each team nearly producing positive results. In the 11th minute, U.S. midfielder Danny Wenzel was dispossessed 45 yards from his own goal by Peruvian midfielder Brian Salazar, who quickly launched a crafty effort to catch MacMath off his line. The ‘keeper got back to his line in time, pushing the ball just over the cross bar. Jared Jeffrey undertook a similar effort in the 22nd minute, this time from a dead ball 40 yards out. His swerving delivery confused the Peruvian defense, forcing the goalkeeper off his line and nearly colliding with his retreating center back. The defender was barely able to skim the ball out of danger.
Chances came few and far between for the remainder of the opening stanza, but Peru nearly snatched a goal just before the halftime whistle. Earning a corner kick during the first minute of stoppage time, the Peruvian corner crisscrossed the box and landed at the feet of Jairo Hernandez, who stood alone eight yards from goal. His low strike beat MacMath, but defender Ryan Gracia had come in to cover from behind and slid to block the shot off the goal line to preserve the 0-0 scoreline.
The U.S. made three substitutions to start the half, and immediately demonstrated more menace in their approach. Their first opportunity came in the 48th minute when a failed clearance in the box left Jeffrey with time to unload from 15 yards out. The shot was blocked, but fell to the feet of second-half sub Jesse Paredes who took his turn at goal, forcing a point-blank save from Peruvian ‘keeper Cesar Ruiz.
Ruiz would become his own worst enemy, however, charging into Sheanon Williams from behind in the 67th minute when Williams had traveled along the goal line to receive a cross from Ellis McLoughlin. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Jeffrey made no mistake with the opportunity, curling a low shot into the left side panel past Ruiz to give the U.S. the advantage.
“I’m confident when I go up