Late winner guides Fulham over U.S. U20s

by Jon Arnold

March 21, 2016

DALLAS — The United States U-20 was just five minutes from staying unblemished in the Dallas Cup’s Gordon Jago Super Group. But Elijah Adebayo jumped on the end of a mishap at the back to give Fulham a 2-1 victory Monday afternoon.

It had looked like the Americans would be the ones to break the deadlock, with Emmanuel Sabbi finding success down the right side of the attack and putting plenty of pressure on Fulham’s defenders. But the bad back-pass allowed Fulham to pull ahead, and the U.S. couldn’t find an answer.

It was Sabbi who had put the U.S. in the lead in the 16th minute when a corner was poorly cleared and the Chicago native slotted it home.

But the lead was short-lived. Fulham’s American midfielder Luca de la Torre drove at his countryman down the left side of the Whites’ attack and played in Josh Thorsteinsson. He put in a cross that Humphrys nodded past goalkeeper James Marcinkowski.

The Americans found success on the wings, with Joshua Perez and Sebastian “Bofo” Saucedo both creating a number of chances for Sabbi and Victor Mansaray, but ultimately the U.S. was unable to find a way past Fulham goalkeeper Magnus Norman.

Fluminense still in control

Brazilian side Fluminense prevailed 2-0 in Monday’s meeting of Bracket C teams that started the tournament with wins Sunday.

The margin would’ve been wider were it not for an incredible match from goalkeeper Aynsley Pears. Pears’ heroics started early, with a first-half penalty save followed up by a another save moments later after the rebound had been recycled. He completed an impressive trifecta with a stop on a header from the resulting corner kick.

But he was beaten four minutes later when Derek Ribeiro stole a bad pass and drove a low shot past Pears’ outstretched left hand.

He continued to be put under pressure from the Brazilians’ impressive passing game, and finally a deserved second goal came through Pedro Henrique Pimentel, who had bossed the midfield for the majority of the afternoon.

FC Dallas bounces back

Like their senior team, the U-19 team bounced back from a loss at the first opportunity this week, topping Queretaro 1-0 after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Fluminense in Sunday’s opener.

Gustavo Lopez, a forward who impressed in a starting role Sunday, came off the bench to head in a set piece.

The win keeps the host club in the mix for a semifinal spot, while the Mexican side will be eliminated no matter Wednesday’s result with Fluminense.