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<P class=MsoNormal><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P>U.S. UNDER-20 MNT DEFEATS HAITI IN SUNRISE, FLA.: Behind an offensive burst in the first half that provided four goals, the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team defeated the Haiti Under-23 Men's National Team, 5-1, on Wednesday (Oct. 11) in Sunrise, Fla. Midfielder Dax McCarty was a part of four goals, assisting on three and scoring a penalty kick for the USA's final tally. Michael Bradley opened the scoring in the first half, followed by Miguel Gonzalez, Johann Smith and Tim Ward as the U.S. took a 4-0 lead into halftime. The team and staff wore black armbands to honor the memory of U.S. Men’s National Team assistant coach Glenn “Mooch” Myernick, who passed away Monday. The match was part of a four-day training camp in Sunrise, Fla. With the win, U.S. is now 4-4-2 overall this year, with wins over Argentina, Canada and Wales. The U.S. is preparing for the 2007 Under-20 Final Round Qualifying Tournament, which will take place in Mexico and Panama next year. A total of eight teams will be looking to progress to the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada. </O:P><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><O:P><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=bodytext vAlign=top><DIV>
Midfielder Dax McCarty was a part of four goals, assisting on three and scoring a penalty kick for the USA's final tally. Michael Bradley opened the scoring in the first half, followed by Miguel Gonzalez, Johann Smith and Tim Ward as the U.S. took a 4-0 lead into halftime.
“We came out and executed in the first half, which is always a good thing to see when you’re trying to create some chemistry on the field,” said U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen. “Along with the match, this entire week was beneficial to for us to see players and get the players together. We’ve still got some work to do as we continue to prepare for qualifying in January, but this was definitely helpful as we move forward.”
With Freddy Adu as captain for his first time ever with a national team, the U.S. dominated their older opponents from the outset, out shooting Haiti 21-6 in the match. The U.S. allowed just one shot on goal, which occurred in the second half when Haiti forward Rudy was able to drive a 23-yard free kick through the U.S. wall and into the lower right corner.
Santa Clara freshman Stephen McCarthy earned his first cap with the U-20s as he started in central defense alongside veteran Nathan Sturgis. Coming on as a reserve in the second half, goalkeeper Joe Willis, defender Nick Cardenas and forward Rodrigo Hidalgo all appeared for the U-20s in an international match for the first time.
The opening goal in the 12th minute was started and finished by Bradley, who was with the Under-20s for the first time since joining SC Heerenveen last year. Collecting the ball in midfield, Bradley sliced his way towards goal and pushed it to his left for Smith, who spun the ball out wide to Gonzalez before crashing into the penalty area. The New England Revolution midfielder took a touch before serving the ball into the box where Smith flicked the ball on to Bradley and he hit a smashing right footed volley past the goalkeeper.
Keeping on the attack, the U.S. struck once again five minutes later. McCarty knocked a long ball up the middle of the field that Gonzalez just got a piece of with his head near the top of the box as it skipped towards goal. Smith attempted to get to the loose ball, but Wilgrens came off his line and fouled the forward as the ball bounced past both players and slowly bounced into the open net. Wilgrens was given a caution for the foul in the box.
Smith put the U.S. up by three goals when he scored his first international goal in the 32nd minute. McCarty started the attack in their offensive half with a good tackle just over the center line before pushing the ball up to Smith. The speedster raced past two defenders to get to the ball and then cut across to hi
Midfielder Dax McCarty was a part of four goals, assisting on three and scoring a penalty kick for the USA's final tally. Michael Bradley opened the scoring in the first half, followed by Miguel Gonzalez, Johann Smith and Tim Ward as the U.S. took a 4-0 lead into halftime.
“We came out and executed in the first half, which is always a good thing to see when you’re trying to create some chemistry on the field,” said U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Thomas Rongen. “Along with the match, this entire week was beneficial to for us to see players and get the players together. We’ve still got some work to do as we continue to prepare for qualifying in January, but this was definitely helpful as we move forward.”
With Freddy Adu as captain for his first time ever with a national team, the U.S. dominated their older opponents from the outset, out shooting Haiti 21-6 in the match. The U.S. allowed just one shot on goal, which occurred in the second half when Haiti forward Rudy was able to drive a 23-yard free kick through the U.S. wall and into the lower right corner.
Santa Clara freshman Stephen McCarthy earned his first cap with the U-20s as he started in central defense alongside veteran Nathan Sturgis. Coming on as a reserve in the second half, goalkeeper Joe Willis, defender Nick Cardenas and forward Rodrigo Hidalgo all appeared for the U-20s in an international match for the first time.
The opening goal in the 12th minute was started and finished by Bradley, who was with the Under-20s for the first time since joining SC Heerenveen last year. Collecting the ball in midfield, Bradley sliced his way towards goal and pushed it to his left for Smith, who spun the ball out wide to Gonzalez before crashing into the penalty area. The New England Revolution midfielder took a touch before serving the ball into the box where Smith flicked the ball on to Bradley and he hit a smashing right footed volley past the goalkeeper.
Keeping on the attack, the U.S. struck once again five minutes later. McCarty knocked a long ball up the middle of the field that Gonzalez just got a piece of with his head near the top of the box as it skipped towards goal. Smith attempted to get to the loose ball, but Wilgrens came off his line and fouled the forward as the ball bounced past both players and slowly bounced into the open net. Wilgrens was given a caution for the foul in the box.
Smith put the U.S. up by three goals when he scored his first international goal in the 32nd minute. McCarty started the attack in their offensive half with a good tackle just over the center line before pushing the ball up to Smith. The speedster raced past two defenders to get to the ball and then cut across to hi