U.S. U15 BNT close out tournament with win

by J.R. Eskilson

April 27, 2014

The U.S. U15 Boys National Team (players born in 1999) finished of its first international tournament with a 3-2 win over China on Sunday. The U.S. youth national team went 1-2 at the Torneo delle Nazioni with losses against Slovenia and Mexico from its first two games.

The tournament, which was held in Northern Italy and Slovenia, featured players born in 1998, which meant the U.S. was playing up a year. To make the task even more difficult, the U.S. was without the services of Edwin Lara, Tyler Adams, and Nicholas Taitague – all three are starters and key players with this age group. Adams and Lara have been moved up to the U17 Men’s National Team exclusively. Taitague, who has played with the U17s as well, was a late scratch due to injury.

The opening game started with a sore note as host Slovenia punished mistakes and captured a 4-0 victory on Friday. The European side benefitted from high pressure and capitalized on two early mistakes as the U.S. tried to build out of the back.

The U.S. returned to the field on Saturday with a 2-1 loss to Mexico. Lucas Del Rosario scored off a Kyle Gruno assist for the U.S. early in the second half to make the score 1-1, but Mexico answered back with a game-winner nine minutes later. Former U.S. Residency Program goalkeeper Abraham Romero recorded the win in goal for Mexico.

The U.S. closed out the event with a 3-2 over China thanks to goals from FC Golden State’s Marty Raygoza, LA Galaxy’s Hanif Wright, and Del Rosario. D.C. United’s Jose Carranza had two assists. The U.S. finished third in the group.

U15 Boys' NT wins final game of Torneo delle Nazioni 3-2 over China PR! Hanif Wright, Marty Raygoza & Lucas Del Rosario score U.S. goals.
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) April 27, 2014

Slovenia, nine points, and Mexico, six points, advanced from the group to the semifinals on Tuesday where they will play Chile and Brazil, respectively. The final is on Thursday.

The U.S. will be back in camp in July at the National Training Center in Carson, Calif.

U.S. U15 Tournament Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Carlos Avilez (FC Dallas; Dallas, Texas), Erik Lopez (LA Galaxy; Westminster, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (6): Jose Alfaro, Jr. (Monarcas Morelia; West Chicago, Ill.), McKay Eves (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Kyle Gruno (Leicester City; Saddle River, N.J.), Gabe Kash (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro; Marshall, Ill.), Angel Uribe (Club Tijuana; Tijuana, Mexico), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; Colorado Springs, Colo.)
MIDFIELDERS (4): Raul Aguilera, Jr. (Orlando City; Sanford, Fla.), Jose Carranza (D.C. United; Manassas, Va.), Jonathan Gonzalez (Monterrey; Santa Rosa, Calif.), Juan Pablo Torres (Georgia United; Lilburn, Ga.)
FORWARDS (6): Lucas Del Rosario (Capital Area RailHawks Academy; Durham, N.C.), Jeanpaul Marin (New York Red Bulls; Rego Park, N.Y.), Leonardo Marquez (Odyssey South; Visalia, Calif.), Marty Raygoza (FC Golden State; South El Monte, Calif.) Adolfo Trujillo (De Anza Force; Livermore, Calif.), Hanif Wright (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.)