ASN: Late Strike Forces U-17s to Delay World Cup Plans

Richie Williams’ under-17 U.S. males’s nationwide staff have been minutes away from punching its ticket to the 2015 World Cup in Chile, however a late equalizer will pressure the staff to proceed in its quest.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 09, 2015
1:43 PM

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THE UNITED STATES U-17 NATIONAL TEAM was two minutes from securing a berth on this summer season’s World Cup in Chile however conceded a late equalizer to match hosts Honduras and should now earn a consequence towards Jamaica on Wednesday to clinch a spot.

Two years in the past Honduras eradicated the U.S. U-17 staff from the World Cup throughout qualifying, and final night time proved it was nonetheless a thorn within the staff’s facet. Regardless of the disappointing end in San Pedro Sula, the Yanks stay within the driver’s seat.

“We’re happy with a draw,” U.S. coach Richie Williams stated. “It still keeps us in first place in the group, and we move forward. Like we said from the beginning, it’s one game at a time. We’ll play a very good Jamaica team on Wednesday, hopefully get a positive result and move on.”

The US competed with out its fundamental playmaker, Christian Pulisic, who suffered a knock to his left knee within the first half of Thursday’s 4-1 win over Guatemala. Pulisic was listed as an choice off the bench however Williams determined to not use him. Fulham’s Luca de la Torre took Pulisic’s place within the No. 10 function.

The sport started poorly for the USA as Honduras took the lead within the sixteenth minute when Victor Matamoros blasted an attractive shot from the suitable facet of the field that beat U.S. goalkeeper Will Pulisiic.

Regardless of falling behind and a boisterous house crowd, the U.S. staff finally started to say itself. Within the twenty third minute the Yanks drew degree when winger Josh Perez reduce in from the left facet and fired a low cross that discovered de la Torre simply in entrance of the purpose. The Fulham product hit a nifty backheel chip over Honduran keeper Michael Perello to even the rating at 1-1.

Within the thirty second minute, Perez gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead when Haji Wright delivered a harmless-looking ball into the field that the Honduran protection could not handle to clear. The ball rolled to an unguarded Perez who fired a blistering shot into the highest of the purpose. Perez, nephew of former U.S. nationwide staff nice Hugo Perez, now has 4 objectives within the match.

Although the U.S. went into intermission with the entire momentum, Honduras started to say itself after the break. And after de la Torre was substituted out of the sport within the 67th minute, it was one-way visitors towards the U.S. purpose. Overrun within the midfield, the People started to bunker and it appeared like solely a matter of time earlier than Honduras scored the equalizer.

Positive sufficient, Honduras’ David Sanchez shouldered a protracted move previous Pulisic within the 88th minute, giving the house staff a deserved draw and forcing the guests to arrange for Jamaica with a higher sense of urgency. Listed below are some ideas on the sport.

Yanks firmly in management

The US is 2 factors forward of second place Honduras getting into the ultimate match day. The People will tackle Jamaica whereas Honduras will host Guatemala. The U.S. staff has a number of methods to qualify for the 2015 U-17 World Cup:

1) A win over Jamaica

2) A Honduras loss or draw to Guatemala

3) A draw vs. Jamaica offered Honduras doesn’t make up a -6 purpose differential towards Guatemala

4) Profitable within the playoff spherical if the U.S. loses to Jamaica and Honduras defeats Guatemala. Potential opponents within the playoffs embody Panama, Costa Rica, Canada, and even Mexico.

In different phrases, Williams’ staff is wanting excellent for the time being—though Jamaica is an especially athletic squad and the U.S. struggled with Trinidad & Tobago’s measurement and velocity.

De la Torre can run the midfield

With out Pulisic, de la Torre stuffed in on the playmaking roll and did very effectively. His equalizing purpose was artful however he additionally was there to constantly arrange his teammates. With all the eye on the staff surrounding Pulisic, de la Torre seems to be very poised to run a high-caliber staff at U-17 degree.

If de la Torre and Pulisic are in a position to play effectively collectively, the possibilities for this staff to succeed on the World Cup in Chile are robust.

CONCACAF Street Woes

When you consider how tough it’s to win on the highway towards the highest groups in CONCACAF, the U.S. U-17s needs to be pleased with Sunday’s consequence regardless of permitting the late equalizer. In 2011, the U.S. U-20s have been eradicated from World Cup qualifying when it misplaced to Guatemala in Guatemala. To this present day, the senior U.S. staff nonetheless struggles on the highway in CONCACAF—particularly in Central America.

For younger teenage gamers who’re accustomed to taking part in in entrance of some hundred individuals—on a superb day—the duty is made even tougher. Honduras drew a substantial, energetic crowd to the sport and it was an adjustment for the U.S. staff.

“I haven’t performed in entrance of a crowd like that,” U.S. defender John Nelson stated. “It was probably the loudest crowd I’ve heard in my life, the toughest crowd. We didn’t let it get to us, we just stayed focused. I don’t think it affected us.”

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.