U.S. U-17s fail to exploit early advantage, fall 2-1 to Spain

October 27, 2009

The United States failed to exploit an early tally and a man advantage for 88 minutes, surrendering a pair of first-half goals and losing its opening match at the Under-17 World Cup 2-1 to Spain on Monday.

The United States appeared to be well on its way after Sergi Gomes was red carded in the second minute for kicking the back of Jack McInerney’s legs as he approached the penalty area with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The Americans capitalized two minutes later when McInerney challenged Edgar to a high ball in the area. The Spanish keeper failed to grab it, allowing it to slip through his hands and toward the goal where McInerney added a final touch to score.

But Spanish manager Gines Melendez inserted Jordi Amat for Isco in the seventh minute, and the Europeans created a pair of chances that gave them the lead by the 30th minute. Borja, who appeared to be offside on the initial pass, finished a low cross from Pablo Sarabia in the 22nd and eight minutes later, Sarabia settled Borja’s looping cross with running one touch and left foot past U.S. keeper Earl Edwards.

The match twice was halted by lighting failures in the second half, delays which added to 14 minutes of stoppage time in the game.

The loss by the United States left CONCACAF with only one draw in four games in the first round of matches at the U-17 event. The United States next will face Malawi on Thursday.

KANO, Nigeria