U.S. teen Agudelo downs South Africa

[Zeppo]

U.S. teen Agudelo downs South Africa

Juan Agudelo became the youngest U.S. player to score in the modern era, giving the Americans a 1-0 victory over South Africa on Wednesday that allowed them to avoid finishing the year with a losing record.

Agudelo, who turns 18 next Tuesday, scored in the 85th minute of his debut after coming on as a substitute midway through the second half.

Agudelo fed fellow newcomer Mikkel Diskerud, who maintained control despite being smothered by three defenders and played the ball back to Agudelo. He took one touch and banged the ball in off the crossbar with a right-footed flick from 7 yards out.

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[Zeppo]

Video of the goal

[HL]

.........says a lot about this extremely young team. You agree Gamma?...you Mosiah?

[Zeppo]

Yanked back to reality

Bafana Bafana were left to regret a plethora of missed opportunities and eventually went down 1-0 to the United States in the Nelson Mandela Challenge match at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

The United States kept their unbeaten record against South Africa intact thanks to a 84th minute strike from Juan Agudelo about six minutes from time.

The big talking point ahead of this match was Leeds United striker Davide Somma and the impact he would have on this game.

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[Zeppo]

Agudelo’s brilliance comes with pressure

With a flick of his right foot, Juan Agudelo’s life changed in a split second on Wednesday, instantly lumbering him with the tag that has been a poisoned chalice for many – American soccer’s “Next Big Thing.”

Agudelo, the 17-year-old New York Red Bulls forward, made a dream debut for the United States, scoring the winning goal against South Africa in Cape Town with five minutes left and cementing his place as the youngest scorer in men’s national-team history.

And though he doesn’t turn 18 until Tuesday, things are going to be somewhat different from now on for Agudelo. One night, one moment and one piece of skill and composure in the South African penalty area means that expectations and scrutiny will be a constant companion for the foreseeable future.

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[Assasin]

A long time mi a tell people bout the Red Bulls academy. They have now produced two very young strikers who have go on to start for the US and other players such as Eddie Gavin. Man a talk bout inner city youth nah get a chance but the Red Bulls do their scouting in the NY Metro area and work with many inner city clubs.