Italy eliminates United States from U-17 World Cup

November 5, 2009

Jack McInerney missed a penalty and the United States finished with 10 men, falling to Italy 2-1 on Wednesday and exiting the Under-17 World Cup in the second round.

It was the fourth straight trip to the knockout rounds of the tournament for the United States, the only nation to have qualified for all 13 U-17 world championships.

Italy used goals by Giacomo Beretta in the 29th and Pietro Iemmello in the 56th to subdue the Americans, one of two teams from CONCACAF to advance past the group stage.

Nick Palodichuk scored the lone goal for the United States in the 51st minute, which equalized until Iemmello replied five minutes later for Italy.

McInerney, who had two goals during the group phase, had a chance to put the Americans ahead in the 17th minute after Italian defender Federico Mannini was called for a handball, but the 16-year-old from the Atlanta region was unable to capitalize on the penalty.

Reserve Italian goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, playing in place of injured regular Mattia Perin, was able to save the spot kick.

McInerney had another chance in the 49th, taking a ball after Luis Gil had worked past two defenders, but put his shot from eight meters off the crossbar.

The Americans were reduced to 10 men in the 93rd minute when Eriq Zaveleta was ejected after apparently elbowing Italy’s Felice Natalino.

Mexico, CONCACAF’s last remaining team will face Korea Republic on Thursday in its attempt to reach the quarterfinals.

KADUNA, Nigeria

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