USA at the U-17 World Cup

Here's the US Roster for the Cup:

GOALKEEPERS (3): 21-Wade Hamilton (Arsenal FC; Murrieta, Calif.), 1-Kendall McIntosh (San Jose Earthquakes Academy; Santa Rosa, Calif.), 12-Fernando Piña (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas)
DEFENDERS (6): 16-Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas Academy; Plano, Texas), 4-Joe Amon (South Carolina United; Summerville, S.C.), 2-Zach Carroll (Vardar; Grand Blanch, Mich.), 6-Mobi Fehr (Tokyo Verdy 1969; Tokyo, Japan), 15-Alessandro Mion (Kendall SC; Miami, Fla.), 3-Nathan Smith (Cal Odyssey; Clovis, Calif.),
MIDFIELDERS (8): 5-Matt Dunn (FC Cologne; Dallas, Texas), 10-Alejandro Guido (Aztecs Premier; Chula Vista, Calif.), 13-Nico Melo (Florida Rush; Kissimmee, Fla.), 11-Marc Pelosi (De Anza Force; Sunnyvale, Calif.), 8-Esteban Rodriguez (Cosmos Academy West; Palmdale, Calif.), 14-Tarik Salkicic (Strictly Soccer; Pinellas Park, Fla.), 17-Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids Academy; Brighton, Colo.), 20-Andrew Souders (Crew Soccer Academy; Amherst, Ohio)
FORWARDS (4): 18-Paul Arriola (Arsenal FC; Chula Vista, Calif.), 7-Alfred Koroma (Solar SC; Arlington, Texas), 19-Jack McBean (Los Angeles Galaxy; Newport Beach, Calif.) 9-Mario Rodriguez (Central Aztecs; North Hollywood, Calif.)

Wilmer Cabrera did not bring Andrew Oliver, who was the leading scorer in the CONCACAF Qualifying due to a disciplinary issue.

Jack McBean and Alejandro Guido will pace the attack, while Mobi Fehr and Kellyn Acosta will be key to the defense. Fernando Pina is a highly rated keeper, but Kendall McIntosh isn't too far behind.

Here's a story of Fehr's background from USSoccer.com. And here's one on Guido, including his walks back and forth across the border between Tiajuana and San Diego.

Group play begins tomorrow evening at 6:30 pm against the Czech Republic. The US will play Uzbekistan on the 22nd at 4 pm, and New Zealand on the 25th at 6 pm. Matches are on ESPN3.com and some are also on Galavision.

 

US just kicked off vs. Czech Republic. Some fun facts for you, USA opened the group stage against Czechoslovakia 18 years ago with a 1-1 draw. The US are the only country to play in all 14 editions of the U-17 World Cup. They have also reached the last 16 in each of the last four Cups. The Czechs meanwhile, haven't done as well.

The tournament is being played in Mexico and the crowd is vigorously opposed to the Americans. The fans were starting with the "Ole" after every pass by the Czechs from their first possession and vigorously booed the first touches of the United States.

 

The US are off to a good start with a 3-0 win against the Czechs to match New Zealand a top the Group D table. New Zealand defeated Uzbekistan 4-1 and are on top due to goals scored. The ESPN commentator was saying that this match would likely determine who would be first and second in the Group. Alejandro Guido opened scoring in the fifth with a terrific goal that will likely be one of the goals of the tournament. The US controlled the first 30 minutes, but the Czech started to pick up in the attack in the last 15 minutes. The second half opened with another early goal as Paul Arriola set up Esteban Rodriguez in the 51st. That goal means that both US players with two Mexican parents scored. The US played more defensively after that goal, but Alfred Koroma hit the third after a fantastic individual effort in the 89th. He entered the match just two minutes earlier for Mario Rodriguez.

Stand-outs for the US were Kendall McIntosh in goal with four saves, including a particularly good one in the first half where he scrambled across the goal and was able to push it past the far post. Kellyn Acosta and Joseph Amon were strong attacking fullbacks. Matt Dunn was strong in a defensive midfield role. Guido was a stand-out at the start of the match, but seemed to fade quickly. Arriola also had a strong performance taking on and beating defender after defender.

 

From what I read, a Russian referee was calling a very pro-Uzbek match. I haven't seen the highlights myself, but it seems that the penalty the Uzbeks got was controversial at best. And that play was moments after a clear penalty against the Uzbeks, but the ref called a foul against the Americans.