The U.S. U15 Boys National Team defeated Costa Rica 4-1 in the final game of group play at the 2017 U15 CONCACAF Championship in Bradenton, Florida on Wednesday. The U.S. is back in action on Thursday at 8 a.m. (PT) against Panama in the semifinal of the competition.
USA trailed early in the game when Costa Rica took advantage of the slick conditions and slid home the opener against the run of play. USA responded with the header from Joseph Scally off a set piece delivery from Giovanni Reyna in the 20th minute.
.@NYCFC connection on the U.S. U15 BNT equalizer. Gio Reyna with the assist and Joseph Scally with the finish. pic.twitter.com/QHQrkq9U2W
— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) August 16, 2017
The two teams went into the break at 1-1 although USA had the better chances in the final minutes of the first half to find the go-ahead goal.
Julian Gaines, the younger brother of McKinze Gaines, scored the game-winner. Gaines picked the pocket of a Costa Rica defender and then placed his shot past the goalkeeper and into the net.
Julian Gaines (@LonestarSC) puts USA up 2-1 in the second half vs. Costa Rica at the U15 CONCACAF Championship. pic.twitter.com/0Uq5v1h78K
— J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) August 16, 2017
USA used another set piece to extend the lead later in the half. A corner kick sailed long and landed at the feet of Gianluca Busio. The Costa Rica goalkeeper did well to keep the Sporting Kansas City forward’s rocket out of the goal, but center back Mason Judge was first to the rebound and headed the ball into the net.
Atlanta United forward Daniel Mangrov brought a new life to the game in the latter stages as a second half substitute on the wing. The speedy attacker was taken down by the Costa Rica goalkeeper after he picked off a ball before the keeper could reach it. The foul set up another set piece for the U.S. and Mangrov delivered a great ball to the center of the net that a Costa Rica defender kicked into his own goal.
U.S. goalkeeper Damian Las did not have much to do in the second half, but he did well when called upon. He came up with a huge stop on a breakaway in the early stages of the second half when the score was 3-1. A goal at the point could have changed the game.
USA finished group play with a 3-0 record after recording wins over Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, and Costa Rica. Prior to Wednesday’s game, Las had not conceded a goal in the tournament.
Check out TopDrawerSoccer’s stars of the game from the final contest of group play.
