USA Men Play Seven World Cup Bound Teams

The schedule for the United States men leading up to the 2002 World Cup was finalized this afternoon when the U.S. Soccer Federation announced three games in May against Uruguay, Jamaica and the Netherlands.

Coach Bruce Arena’s team will play three Italy on Feb. 13, Germany on March 27 and Ireland on April 17, all on the road in Europe. The U.S. men are now scheduled to play seven games prior to the World Cup, including the already played encounters with South Korea, against teams that will play in World Cup 2002 in June.

The U.S. men will also play two exhibition games on home soil. They host Honduras on March 2 in Seattle, WA and play Ecuador on March 10 in Birmingham, AL. The game with Honduras will be carried by ESPN and ABC will carry the game with Ecuador

In the "Road to (South) Korea," the US will face Uruguay May 12 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. (ET), a match to be televised on ABC

Next up for the American men will be Jamaica May 16 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. at 7:30 p.m., televised on ESPN2.

Then comes the World Cup sendoff with the Netherlands May 19 at brand-new CMGI Field in Foxborough, Mass., at 2 p.m., to be aired by ABC.

"We are excited to have finalized a formidable schedule in preparation for the World Cup," said U.S. coach Arena in a written statement. "We have arranged to play against high level competition in some of the best soccer venues in the country, which we feel will afford a great challenge to our team and provide for an excellent send-off. We felt the best way to prepare for the competition in Korea was to create a rigorous schedule, and we have achieved that."

Including the just-completed Gold Cup, the U.S. will have faced seven World Cup-bound sides in 2002 prior to kicking off the World Cup June 5 against Portugal.

The Netherlands has traditionally been a European power, but failed to make the 2002 World Cup after advancing to the semifinals in France in 1998 and of the 2000 European Championship. Currently ranked eighth by world governing body FIFA, the Dutch were eliminated by finishing behind Ireland and Portugal in their qualifying group despite losing only twice in 10 matches and having a plus-10 goal differential.

The Netherlands possesses one of the top striker combinations in the world with the leading scorer of the 2000 European Championship, Patrick Kluivert, who plays for FC Barcelona of Spain) and Ruud van Nistelrooy, the hottest striker in the English Premier League with Manchester United.

In the only previous meeting, the Dutch defeated the Americans 2-0 on February 21, 1998, in Miami, Fla.

When the U.S. and Jamaica meet at Giants Stadium, it will mark the sixth time the teams have played since 1997. The U.S. sealed advancement to the World Cup on October 7 by defeating Reggae Boyz 2-1 at Foxboro Stadium which has been replaced by CMGI Field.

The U.S. and Uruguay have met five times, but only twice in the last 10 years. Uruguay finished fifth in South American qualifying and then topped Australia in a two-legged playoff to secure the 32nd and final spot in the 2002 World Cup.

The USA's game with Italy will be televised in the U.S. by ESPN with a kickoff of 2:45 ET on Feb. 13.. ESPN will carry the game in Germany and ESPN2 will carry the game with Ireland.

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U.S. Youth Men’s Programs Must Be Reviewed
By Robert Wagman SoccerTimes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, September 20, 2001) -- This has not been a good year for the United States men’s youth teams. In fact, the results have been so disappointing, that a fundamental review of the multi-million-dollar annual expenditure for the program is certainly in order.  

Much was expected from both the under-20 men in the World Youth Championships this summer in Argentina, and the under-17s in the world championships currently in progress in Trinidad & Tobago.  

The high expectations for the U-20s came as a result of a fourth-place finish of the under-17 national team two years ago in the world championships in New Zealand. When the Americans fell just short of a medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, last September, it seemed as if the U.S. youth programs had finally matured into a power. 

The under-20s, however, comprised mostly of New Zealand veterans, underachieved badly in Argentina in June. After advancing from group play with a second place tie with a lackluster 1-1-1 record, the U.S. was quickly eliminated by Egypt 2-0 in the round of 16. 

That was a good performance compared to the one put in by the under-17s the past week in Bacolet, Tobago. It was three and out of the U-17s with France (5-3) and Nigeria (2-0) making their victories lopsided. The U.S. did not manage a shot on goal in its final setback yesterday against the Nigerians.  

It’s hard to quantify what effect events in New York and the Washington area had on the team. But throughout the tournament, the Americans showed as a team, and as individuals, they simply didn’t measure up to the speed and skill levels of those they were facing.  

There seems to be one common denominator between the two youth teams the U.S. sent into international competition this year. With a few exceptions, they were essentially amateur squads facing teams of well schooled young professionals. The under-20s had five professionals including the San Jose Earthquakes’s Landon Donovan, the Chicago Fire’s DeMarcus Beasley and D.C. United’s Bobby Convey, but otherwise it was a college all-star team facing entire teams of professionals.  

The contrast was even more stark in the U-17 tournament. There, the U.S. sent high schoolers to face teams comprised of players from some of the top youth, reserve, and in some cases, second-division teams in Europe and Asia. The two professionals on the U.S. squad, the Dallas Burn’s Eddie Johnson and D.C. United Santino Quaranta, were the only players who seemed ready to compete.  

In most of the major soccer countries of the world, players are developed through the extensive youth and reserve team programs of the professional clubs. These clubs spend millions a year on scouting, coaching and housing players from all over the world. They see this as the cost of doing business, and as justified if they can develop even a few players who eventually will play on their full sides, or if they develop young players who will some day generate transfer fees.  

Major League Soccer is simply not in a position to develop and fund youth programs. As a further disincentive, because the league as a whole owns all players and doles them out to teams, a club with a youth program would have no claim on a player developed in its own youth program. So the United States Soccer Federation, using several million dollars a year in sponsorship money, has tried to develop a system somewhat modeled on the European system. 

Through the Olympic Development Program (ODP), coaches and scouts look at players in every state. The ones judged the best get funneled up through the program and the best 20 or so at the under-17 age group, if their parents allow it (and that is always an issue), move to a residency program in Bradenton, Fla., where they live, go to school, and train year-round.  

Part of the problem with this system is that the program gets locked into a relatively small number of players, though John Ellinger, the U-17 is confident he has the best players available. "I am sure I have seen all the best kids in this age group in the country," Ellinger said. "The program for identifying the best kids is very sophisticated, and I think functioning well." 

One problem is that once U.S. Soccer invites a player into the residency program, it is locked into keeping that player for the year whether he develops or not since he has left his school and home to travel to Florida. There is not much flexibility to bring in newly discovered talent during the year.  

Many youth coaches around the country complain about the direction of ODP. They say the program is has grown to become heavily political; because it is run at the state level there is no consistency to the standards applied to the participants; and of the great expense to the parents of the players.  

The bottom line is: Are we seeing all the best young players, and is the best being brought out of them? 

The coaches of the teams the U.S. is facing in these youth competitions usually assemble their teams from among hundreds of young players in professional training programs. Ellinger and Wolfgang Sunholz, the under-20 coach, draw from a much smaller pool, even given the fact that so many kids in the U.S. are playing soccer.  

The current U.S. program certainly is better than before, but obviously is still lacking. The recent results make it clear the program now needs a top-to-bottom review.

(Reprinted With Permission From www.soccertimes.com )

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France Posts 5-3 Win to Eliminate U.S. U-17s

BACOLET, Tobago (Sunday, September 16, 2001) - The United States Under-17 Men were beat by a talented French side, 5-3, on Sunday night at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago. With the loss, the United States cannot advance to the quarterfinals. The U.S. will conclude the tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 19, against Group B leaders Nigeria at 5 p.m. ET.

The U.S. effort was much improved from Friday’s loss to Japan, but they ran into a French team - led by the strikeforce of Florent Sinama Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec - operating on all cylinders. Sinama Pongolle’s hat trick was the first of the 2001 Under-17 World Championship, and his two goals in five minutes midway through the second half proved to be the difference.

“I thought that we lost to a team that was better than us on this night,” said U.S. Head Coach John Ellinger. “We knew coming in that we were placed in the most difficult group and that we would have three games against three of the best teams in the world. Now we just need to play a little better and finish the tournament on a high note on Wednesday.”

As they did in Friday’s loss to Japan, the U.S. fell behind early, allowing Sinama Pongolle to put the French on the board with a well-crafted goal in the fourth minute. The United States played their best soccer of the tournament after falling behind, and Mike Magee equalized with the USA’s first goal of the tournament in the 19th minute. Magee controlled a deflected Santino Quaranta cross, and spun and unleased a left-footed volley that hit the hand of French captain Jacques Faty and continued into the net. The goal ended an American scoreless streak of 228 minutes that dated back to Magee’s free-kick gamewinner against Brazil on Sept. 2.

The United States grabbed their first lead of the tournament in the 28th minute, when U.S. pressure was rewarded with an own goal. Ed Johnson’s cross from the right side deflected off of Julio Colombo and left French goalkeeper Florent Chaigneau with no chance. France pulled a goal back three minutes later to enter halftime deadlocked 2-2.

The French struck quick on the other side of halftime as Mourad Meghni’s free kick from 23 yards out slipped through Adam Schuerman’s hands on the goalline. With rain coming down, Schuerman dove to his right and appeared to save Meghni’s shot, but the ball found its way into the net. A pair of beautifully taken Sinama Pongolle goals in the 60th and 65th minutes finalized the France scoreline.

The U.S. battled back and Johnson scored a well-deserved goal in the 75th minute. Johnson controlled a long ball from Paul Johnson, fought off Faty, sidestepped another French defender and coolly slotted the ball past Chaigneau from 20 yards out. The goal was Johnson’s 23rd international goal in 24 matches.

Johnson, Quaranta and Chefik Simo all produced chances in the final 10 minutes, but were unable to put another past Chaigneau, who made six saves in the match.

Nigeria cruised past Japan, 4-0, in the first Group B match of the evening to put the Super Eaglets alone at the top of Group B with six points. In Sunday’s Group A matches, Brazil topped Croatia, 3-1, in a battle of first-day winners, while Australia handed the host Trinidad & Tobago team a 1-0 loss. Australia and Croatia meet on Sept. 19, and a win or a draw will put Australia through to the quarterfinals, along with Brazil (six points).

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After Loss, USA U-17 Need Two Wins
By Robert Wagman, SoccerTimes

(Saturday, September 15, 2001) -- Following a 1-0 loss to Japan, the team thought to be the weakest in Group B, the United States now faces the prospect of probably having to win its final two matches to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Championship.

Japan finished third in Asian qualifying. Tomorrow, the U.S. takes on France, second in Europe, at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Trinidad & Tobago, at 6:30 p.m., a match that will be televised live on Spanish-language Galavision.

Next Wednesday, the Americans close preliminary play against African champion Nigeria at 5 p.m., a game Galavision will broadcast on a two-hour delay.

At worst, the U.S., the only nation to qualify for every under-17 world championship, must earn a win and a tie, but that would require help from other teams.

With the United States observing a national day of mourning, the U.S. teens came out flat and were overwhelmed early by a faster opponent and were fortunate only to be trailing by one goal.

Dreadful defending, compounded by a mistake by U.S. goalkeeper Adam Schuerman proved costly in the 12th minute. Japanese striker Yutaro Abe took a long pass in the center of the penalty area and settled it with his chest. Two U.S. defenders, Chad Marshall and Gray Griffin, fell over each other with Abe pulling the ball back, instead of going forward. Schuerman first hesitated, then came out -- but too slowly -- becoming caught in no man’s land, and was beaten by Abe.

Schuerman more than made up for the miscue with several sparkling saves as U.S. defenders too often allowed Japanese attackers to run diagonally across the top of the box and get off hard shots.

The U.S. played much better in the second half and probably deserved a better result, narrowly missing goals on three occasions.

Striker Santino Quaranta let loose with a left-footed blast that beat Japanese goalkeeper Kenta Tokushige, but struck the underside of the crossbar and bounded away early in the second. Probably the best U.S. chance came when a wonderful pass from Quaranta put U.S. attacker Mike Magee in alone on Tokushige who was down and out of the play. But Magee could not control the ball and stumbled as he attempted to go around the fallen keeper.

Finally, in stoppage time, the Dallas Burn’s Eddie Johnson worked a wonderful give-and-go with Chefik Simo who replaced Quaranta in the 90th minute. As Johnson came free, he tried to chip over Tokushige, who dove frantically backward and tipped the ball over the crossbar.

There was a lot in this match to worry to U.S. coach John Ellinger. His defense looked disorganized. His midfield was repeatedly beaten to 50-50 balls and the passing was very weak. When his strikers found openings, they couldn’t finish.

While many felt the tournament should have been postponed because of the tragic events in the U.S., Ellinger said he is focused on the tournament. "The horrific events that occurred this past week shocked and saddened all of us in the U.S. delegation here in Tobago, and I think it did the same for people all over the world," he said. "A tragic event such as this puts things in perspective and makes you realize that while this is a world championship, it is just a soccer tournament. But we are here to play soccer, and we have every intention of putting forth our best effort."

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USA U-17 Ready To Play

The U.S. Under-17 national team arrived in Trinidad riding a perfect 9-0 record in international games this year. They have outscored their opponents 26-7. Included in those wins was a 1-0 victory over Brazil.

U.S. head coach John Ellinger settled on the 18 players to represent the U.S. at the tournament in Trinidad & Tobago from September 13-30. Ellinger has called on 17 of the 18 players that represented the U.S. in their run through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in St. Louis in April.

“I think the team is very anxious to finally get out there and start the World Championship,” Ellinger said. “This team has been preparing for this the last two years, and we are ready to put ourselves to the test. I am confident that the players will perform to the best of their ability, and if that happens I think we can do something special in Trinidad & Tobago.”

The United States enters the 2001 World Championship coming on the heels of a fourth-place finish at the 1999 Under-17 World Championship. Two players that will be at the heart of the USA’s efforts in the Carribean are Ed Johnson and Santino Quaranta.  

The duo has put together jaw-dropping numbers on the Under-17 scene, none more impressive than Johnson’s 15 goals in his last nine internationals. In his Under-17 career, Johnson has scored 22 goals in 20 internationals. The U.S. is an undefeated 10-0-1 in internationals in which Johnson has scored.  

Quaranta is a lethal attacking player who is able to score goals as well as set them up. In seven international matches this year, the Baltimore native leads the U.S. with six assists. In June, Quaranta was the top scorer and named Most Valuable Player at the Theesen International Tournament in Bielefeld, Germany, playing against the youth squads of some of Germany’s top clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen.

Quaranta and Johnson were both drafted in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft in February, with Quaranta being chosen in the first round by D.C. United (8th overall), and the Dallas Burn selecting Johnson in the second round (19th overall). The two immediately made contributions on the field.

Quaranta, the youngest player to sign an MLS contract, shortly thereafter became the youngest player to score a goal and was named MLS Player of the Week and started and played 90 minutes at the MLS All-Star Game.

The youngest member of the U.S. team will certainly be one of its more indispensable, as 16-year-old Craig Capano directs the U.S. attack from his spot in the central midfield. Capano is one of just five U.S. players to play in 19 of the USA’s 20 internationals in the last two years (Quaranta, Ed Johnson, Jordan Harvey and Jordan Stone are the others).

This summer, Capano teamed with Under-17 teammate Mike Magee to lead Chicago Sockers F.C. to the U.S. Youth Soccer Under-16 National Championship.

The U.S. defense is often overshadowed by the electrifying offense in front of it, but goalkeeper Adam Schuerman mans one of CONCACAF’s top defenses. In the last two years, the U.S. has allowed just 25 goals in 19 internationals, and only twice have conceded more than two goals. Raleigh’s Ford Williams will be the USA’s backup goalkeeper.

The USA’s solid backline is headed by Chad Marshall, David Chun and captains Gray Griffin and Harvey. The four have combined for three goals and three assists in 2001 internationals and have a total of 62 international appearances. Griffin, a native of Charlotte, NC, and Marshall, two tall central defenders who dominate the air in the middle of the field, have also shown an ability to go forward, as evidenced by Griffin’s two goals against Guatemala and Marshall’s game-winner against Jamaica in the qualifying opener. 

Ellinger has an amazing record since taking over the U.S. Under-17 program in 1998. The former Columbus Crew assistant coach guided the Under-17s to a semifinal spot in the 1999 World Championship, compiling a 26-game unbeaten mark along the way. In his four-year stint at the helm of the Under-17s, Ellinger has compiled a 43-12-12 record in international matches.

The World Championship will wrap up two years of training for many of the Under-17s. Twelve players named to the team for the World Championship began training together in the full-time Residency Program in January 2000, following the tremendous success of the first Under-17 full-time residency program.

Only forward Erwin Diaz was not a member of the residency program in 2001.

The United States, the only team to qualify for all nine world championships, will play its three group games at Dwight Yorke Stadium just outside of Scarborough, Tobago.

The AFC third-place finisher (Japan), UEFA runner-up (France) and CAF champion (Nigeria) will join the CONCACAF Group A champion USA in one of four first-round groups. The top two finishers in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

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Draw With Holland (0-0) Not Enough To Advance

AUBAGNE, France (Monday, May 28, 2001) - Needing a win to secure a place in the Toulon Festival semifinals, the U.S. Under-20s knocked on the door several times in the second half, but in the end had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Holland at the Stade de Lettre. D.J. Countess recorded his third international shutout of the year, and U.S. forward Alecko Eskandarian was denied his third goal of the tournament by a combination of bad luck and quality goalkeeping.

After opening the tournament with a 2-1 win over Italy, the USA dropped its second game 3-1 to Colombia, which would eventually win the group. The USA finished with a 1-1-1 mark.

"It is frustrating because we definitely had chances to put them away, and we easily could have come out of here with a better result," said Countess. "But we didn't, and we will use the game as a great learning experience for us. We are lucky in that we have a greater challenge ahead of us now, and hopefully we can use what we learned here to become a better team in Argentina at the World Youth Championship."

Knowing that a goal would give them the game and a spot in the semifinals for just the second time in U.S. Soccer history, the U.S. put the Dutch under extreme pressure in the second half. But despite producing the majority of the scoring chances, the Under-20s were shutout in an international for the first time since 1999. The Dutch ended the first round with the tournament's top defense, allowing only one goal in three games.

The U.S. team had a variety of opportunities to grab the elusive goal in the second half, none better than the trio of opportunities that fell to Eskandarian. In the 59th minute Holland's Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelemburg saved Eskandarian's point blank shot from inside the six-yard box. Eskandarian, who entered the match as the tournament's leading scorer, produced two more quality chances in a two minute-span late in the game.

Five minutes from time, the U.S. forced a Dutch defender to play the ball back to Stekelemburg. As Eskandarian pressured the goalkeeper, the 'keeper's clearance hit the leaping Esklandarian in the chest and caromed back toward the goal. The ball rolled just wide of the right post, an accurate representation of the kind of night it was for the Americans. One minute later, U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu launched a long throw-in from the right touchline into the penalty box. Stekelemburg came up with his best save of the night as he dove to his left and somehow kept Eskandarian's header out of the net.

Countess wrapped up a solid tournament in goal for the USA with four saves and his third international shutout of the year in just seven appearances. Countess' best save came in the 31st minute when Dutch captain Heitinga's blast from 20 yards forced Countess to make a brilliant save, diving to his right and pushing the ball over the crossbar. Heitinga's shot represented the best scoring opportunity of the night for Holland.

The U.S. team made two changes in the starting line-up from the team that played the first two Festival matches. Defender Seth Trembly was inserted in at left back in place of Philip Salyer, and Kenny Arena got the start at defensive midfielder over Brian Carroll. Carroll and Salyer did enter the game in the second half and were both a large part of the USA's late second half surge.

As they pounded the Holland end in the second half, the U.S. did not help their cause with a combination of 20 fouls and 12 offside calls that slowed down their attack. The USA had two other quality opportunities in the second half, but were unable to put a shot on target.

Kyle Martino shot high from 15 yards after Brad Davis and Eskandarian worked a beautiful combination down the right side and then found Martino near the top of the box. In the 48th minute Conor Casey beat Stekelemburg to a bouncing ball and headed the ball towards the empty net, but a Dutch defender was able to clear the ball to safety.

In the other Group A match, Colombia topped Italy in a high-scoring affair, 4-3. With the win, Colombia finishes atop the group with seven points, followed by Holland (5 points), the USA (4 points) and Italy (0 points). Group B play finishes Tuesday evening as Japan (1 point ) faces Portugal (6 points) and France (1 point) takes on Poland (3 points). Portugal has already secured a spot in the semifinals, and all three of the remaining teams have a chance to join the Portugese in the round of four.

The U.S. is using the Toulon Festival as a final warm-up before to the FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. The World Youth Championship will run from June 17 - July 8, and the U.S. will begin the tournament in Group C in Mendoza, Argentina. The U.S. opens against China PR on June 17, before playing Chile on June 20 and Ukraine on June 23. The majority of the players will come from the American squad currently in France, but the U.S. team that plays in the World Youth Championship is expected to be supplemented by Landon Donovan, Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley and Edson Buddle. The four MLS pros stayed in the U.S. to train and play with their club teams this week.

Notes: The U.S. wore their all white kits, and Holland wore their traditional orange jerseys with black shorts ... The team will enjoy a rest day on Tuesday, before beginning the trek back to the United States on Wednesday ... Jose Burciaga entered the game in the 59th minute and received his first international cap since February ... Burciaga bounced back quickly from a high ankle sprain he suffered in one of the team's first training sessions in Toulon ... The United States now boasts a 5-1-3 record in international play this year.

2001 U.S. UNDER-20 MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

Lineups: USA - 1-D.J. Countess; 8-Seth Trembly (2-Phillip Salyer, 50), 4-Nelson Akwari (capt.), 5-Alex Yi, 3-Oguchi Onyewu; 9-Brad Davis, 10-Kyle Martino, 14-Kenny Arena (16-Jose Burciaga, 59), 6-Kelly Gray; 12-Alecko Eskandarian, 17-Conor Casey (15-Brian Carroll, 65).

HOL - 1-Maarten Stekenlenburg; 11-Boutahar, 15-Huntelaar (19-Marnix Kolder, 76), 13- Mathijssen, 4-Heitinga; 17-Jeffrey De Visscher, 5-Jeffrey Leiwakabessy, 14-Santi Kolk (10- Youssouf Hersi, 59); 2-Juergen Colin, 9-Rogier Molhoek, 3-Sprockel.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: USA - Kenny Arena (caution), 40. USA - Jose Burciaga (caution), 65.

2001 Toulon Festival Group A
Team	W-L-T	+/-	Pts.
Colombia	2-0-1	+3	7
Netherlands	1-0-2	+1	5
USA	1-1-1	-1	4
Italy	0-3-0	-3	0

May 24: USA 2, Italy 1 / Colombia 0, Netherlands 0
May 26: USA 1, Colombia 3 / Netherlands 2, Italy 1
May 28: USA 0, Netherlands 0 / Colombia 4, Italy 3

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U.S. U-20s Beat Italy 2-1

TOULON, France (Thursday, May 24, 2001) - The United States Under-20 Men's National Team scored twice in three minutes to complete a comeback and open the 29th Toulon Festival with a 2-1 win over traditional European power Italy.

Alecko Eskandarian (Virginia) and Oguchi Onyewu (Clemson) each scored their first international goals for the U.S., who now have a seven-game international unbeaten streak in 2001. Colombia and the Netherlands drew in the second match of the evening, leaving the United States alone at the top of the Group A table. With a win against Colombia on Saturday, the U.S. clinches a spot in the semifinals for only the second time. Group B play starts Friday night.

"It is great to open the tournament with a win, especially against a great soccer nation like Italy," U.S. head coach Wolfgang Suhnholz said. "Naturally, I was very happy that we were able to come from behind. It is a sign of a good team to be able to turn it around during the game."

After playing to a scoreless draw in the first half, the U.S. fell behind just three minutes into the second half. But the U.S. exploded for two goals in three minutes to shock the Italians and the Stade Mayol crowd. Connor Casey, who was involved in physical battles with the Italian backline the whole game, was instrumental in both U.S. scores.

The United States equalized in the 60th minute on a brilliant set piece after Casey was fouled 40 yards from goal while receiving a ball. Kyle Martino (Virginia) and Brad Davis stood over the dead ball before Martino flighted a ball to the back post that Onyewu headed across the face of the goal and into the far-side netting. Onyewu was a force in the first half for the U.S., as his ability to get forward from his right back position caused Italy early problems.

Casey and Eskandarian played together up front for the first time against Italy and tested the Italian defense throughout the game. The big, physical Casey and the smaller, quicker Eskandarian proved to become more dangerous as the game wore on, and they combined in the 64th minute for the gamewinner.

Casey controlled a long ball from the back and, with an Italian defender draped all over his back, laid the ball off into the path of Eskandarian. With a defender approaching from his left, the University of Virginia forward cut the ball back to his left foot and was able to slide it past a stunned Nicola Barasso. Eskandarian's goal completed the huge comeback for the U.S., who have fallen behind in each of their last three internationals.

Casey almost netted a goal of his own in the 68th minute with a highlight-reel run that ended with a U.S. corner kick. Davis played a brilliant bending ball behind the defense that Casey ran onto. The Borussia Dortmund striker chested the ball down and, while holding off and Italian defender, used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball into the air. Casey attempted to chip the goalkeeper, but the ball was pushed over the bar for a corner.

The Italians dominated the end of the first half and the opening of the second half and three minutes into the second period they scored the opener as proof of their efforts. Marco Ferro received the ball in the box and tried to hit a side volley that deflected off of Nelson Akwari and fell to Andrea Capone 11 yards from goal. Capone made no mistake with his shot, hitting the bouncing ball into the lower left hand corner past a diving D.J. Countess.

Countess and made five saves in the match and made four of them look routine. His most difficult save came in the first half when he gobbled up a Simonluca Agazzone free kick from 28 yards out.

After scoring three goals in the United States' last two games, Kelly Gray moved back to play as a defensive midfielder, allowing Casey to play up top. The versatile Gray, who has spent time as a defender for Suhnholz, was invaluable in the middle of the field for Suhnholz, controlling play for the U.S. throughout much of the first half.

While Italy had the better of the chances in the first half, the U.S. did have two wonderful opportunities to go ahead early. Just four minutes into the game, Onyewu launched a long throw in from the right side into the penalty area that fell to Gray. Gray's shot seemed to have the goalkeeper beat, but bounced off an unsuspecting Luca Del Chiaro at the six-yard box and was cleared into safety.

The best chance came in the 38th minute when Davis floated a diagonal ball into the left side of the area that midfielder Brian Carroll (Wake Forest) did well to bring down. His shot beat the keeper and rolled across the face of the empty net, but Casey was unable to reach the ball as an Italian defender ushered it over the goalline.

The United States will face two-time defending champions Colombia on Saturday at 4 p.m. local (10 a.m. ET) at Stade Fargues in Le Pontet, before ending group play against the Netherlands on Monday, May 28, at 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET) at Stade De Lattre in Aubagne, France. Both U.S. matches will be shown live on Fox Sports World and Fox Sports World Espanol. The top two teams from each four-team group advance to the semifinals on May 31 in Toulon. Group B starts its tournament play Friday, as Japan faces Poland and France battles Portugal.

The U.S. is using the Toulon Festival as a final warm-up before to the FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. The World Youth Championship will run from June 17 - July 8, and the U.S. will begin the tournament in Group C in Mendoza, Argentina. The U.S. opens against China PR on June 17, before playing Chile on June 20 and Ukraine on June 23. The majority of the players will come from the American squad currently in France, but the U.S. team that plays in the World Youth Championship is expected to be supplemented by Landon Donovan, Bobby Convey, DaMarcus Beasley and Edson Buddle. The four MLS pros stayed in the U.S. to train and play with their club teams this week.

Notes: Italy placed third in last year's Toulon Festival ... The U.S. wore their all-white kits and will do so for the remaining two first round matches .... Dr. Joao Havelange, the former FIFA president, was in attendance at the U.S.-Italy match ... All matches in the Toulon Festival will be played as two 40-minute halves ... Casey and the Italian goalkeeper collided just outside the box in the 27th minute and although no foul was called, the Italian 'keeper Nicola Barasso did receive brief medical attention ... As the Italians celebrated their goal in the 43rd minute, Italy captain Simonluca Agazzon lay on the ground in the middle of the pitch, and he was replaced shortly thereafter.

2001 U.S. UNDER-20 MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

ITA - Andrea Capone, 43. USA - Oguchi Onyewu (Kyle Martino), 61. USA - Alecko Eskandarina (Conor Casey), 64.

Lineups: USA - 1-D.J. Countess; 2-Phillip Salyer, 4-Nelson Akwari (capt.), 5-Alex Yi, 3-Oguchi Onyewu; 9-Brad Davis, 6-Kelly Gray, 10-Kyle Martino, 15-Brian Carroll; 12-Alecko Eskandarian (8-Seth Trembly, 78), 17-Conor Casey.

ITA - 1-Nicola Barasso; 5-Roberto Cardinale, 6-Luca Del Chiaro, 4-Marco Mugnaini, 13-Sergio Carnesalini (14-Dossena, 41); 8-Angelo Palombo, 7-Federico Balzaretti, 10-Simonluca Agazzone - capt.(16-n/a, 46) , 2-Christian Maggio; 9-Marco Ferro, 20-Andrea Capone (11-n/a, 66).

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: none

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Arena, Reyna Suspended By FIFA

CHICAGO (Thursday, September 14, 2000) -- United States coach Bruce Arena and midfielder Claudio Reyna have been suspended by world governing body FIFA for their actions following a 2-1 loss to Costa Rica July 23.

The United States Soccer Federation was been notified today by the FIFA disciplinary committee that Arena is suspended for three qualifying matches and Reyna for two, one of the most severe penalties in recent memory. While Reyna's suspension is final with no chance of appeal, U.S. Soccer is evaluating the appeal process in regard to Arena's penalty.

"We respect and understand the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decisions in this matter," said U.S. Soccer Secretary General Dan Flynn in a written statement. "We have spoken to both Bruce and Claudio and they understand the reasons behind FIFA's decision. What's important now is how we move forward in preparation for our two remaining World Cup qualifiers in this round. All of our preparation is geared toward advancing to the next round of qualifying, and that is what our team needs to be focused on."

There are two games remaining in the CONCACAF qualifying Group E semifinal round, the U.S. (2-1-1, 7 points) hosts Costa Rica on Oct. 11 at Columbus (Ohio) Crew Stadium before traveling to Barbados for its sixth and final semifinal match on Nov. 15. The top two teams advance to the six-nation round-robin finals with the top three qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.

The U.S. is currently in second place in their four-team group with seven points, behind Costa Rica's nine points and ahead of Guatemala (four points) and Barbados (three points). The top two teams in the group will advance to the final six-team group of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying to be played in 2001.

In San Jose, Costa Rica, the U.S. appeared to have a 1-1 draw with the home team when Jamaican referee Peter Prendergast whistled American defender Greg Berhalter of an apparently non-existent hand ball in the penalty area. Hernan Medford converted the penalty kick to give the Ticos the 2-1 victory.

After the final whistle, Arena was seen berating Prendergast and Reyna took off his captain’s armband and threw it at the referee.

"This was disgraceful," Arena said afterward. "I told the ref he cheated us, and I'd like to see him walk in this locker room and explain this officiating to these players."

After learning of the suspension today, Arena said, "The game in Costa Rica was an emotional defeat for us, and our reactions to that loss were equally emotional. We acknowledge and understand FIFA's decision in this process, and we need to put it behind us and move forward in our preparation for these upcoming games."

The U.S. is already without suspended midfielders Earnie Stewart (two yellow cards) and Eddie Lewis red card against Guatemala on September 3) for the Costa Rica match and now have to cope with the loss of Reyna in the center of the field. Starting midfielder Chris Armas is out with a knee injury, and probably so is #1 goalkeeper Kasey Keller who broke a finger with his Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.

"Everyone that has watched me throughout my career, knows how uncharacteristic my actions were after the loss in Costa Rica, and I am sorry for losing my composure," said Reyna from Scotland where he is with the Glasgow Rangers."

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Saturday, November 27, 1999) - The U.S. Men's Under-17 National Team closed out a brilliant run through the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in New Zealand with a 2-0 loss to Ghana at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. The loss completed a strong tournament for the American men, whose fourth place finish was the best for a U.S. Men's National Team in a FIFA World Championship in 69 years.

Defending champion Brazil won the world championship on penalty kicks (8-7) over Australia, after the two teams had played to a 0-0 draw.

"I said it after our last game, and I've been saying it for two years now, this team is filled with so much heart, guts and determination that it is impossible for me to be any more proud of their effort in this tournament," said an emotional John Ellinger at the conclusion of the game. "We did everything we could to get a goal tonight but it just wasn't to be."

For the fifth time in six games in the tournament, the U.S. surrendered the first goal of the match, with Pinpong Razak hitting a thunderous header from six yards out that caromed off the underside of the cross bar to score in the 35th minute. The goal was set up by a perfect flick on header from Barnard Dong-Bortey off a corner kick from Ishmael Addo, who did well to force the corner off of the leg of U.S. defender Nelson Akwari just prior to the goal.

Ghana had a chance to double lead its in the 75th minute, but a penalty kick by Ishmael Addo, the tournament's top scorer, was stopped by U.S. goalkeeper D.J. Countess with a strong, diving save to his right. Addo had set up the penalty with a powerful dribble into the right edge of the penalty area, where Alexander Yi was forced to bring him down from behind.

Just 10 minutes later, in the 84th minute, Addo finally beat Countess with a brilliant strike from 10 yards from the left side of the penalty area, hitting a rocket high into the net for his tournament-high seventh goal.

For Ghana, the third place finish was small consolation for a team which missed out on the Under-17 championship game for the first time this decade after twice winning the tournament and twice finishing as runners-up in the 1990s.

The U.S. was shutout in a game for the first time in 30 matches, dating all the way back to March of this year.

"This team has planted the seeds for Project 2010," said Ellinger. "I believe that U.S. Soccer is well on its way to achieving the goals of better developing players to begin competing for a World Cup title in the next 10 years."

After the medal ceremony, in which the U.S received their fourth place award and Ghana took their third place medals, the Ghana team, in a show of unrivaled class, invited the Americans to join them on their victory lap. The winners circled the field hand-in-hand with the USA players to the cheers of the Auckland crowd of over 15,000.

The U.S. ended up in the consolation match after a thrilling semifinal clash with Australia on Wednesday, that saw the young Socceroo's advance to the finals after a 2-2 draw and then eight rounds of penalty kicks (which finally ended 7-6 in Australia's favor). Wearing the armband in the game with Ghana was captain Kenneth Cutler, who received a classy show of support from his teammates after it was Cutler's missed penalty which ended the USA's hopes of a world championship.

The day after the team's elimination, Cutler's teammates voted to make the midfielder from Richmond, Virginia, the team's captain in their final match. (Cutler and defender Akwari usually rotate as captain, and Akwari had been scheduled to wear the armband in the final game.)

The loss to Ghana officially ended the USA's unbeaten streak at 25 games, a streak which began way back in August of 1998. (Despite the USA's elimination in the semifinals to Australia, that match is officially recorded as a draw by FIFA, with advancement decided on penalty kicks).

The USA will return home after three weeks in New Zealand late Sunday evening.

1999 U.S. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

GHA - Poinpong Razak, (Bernard Dong-Bortey), 35. GHA - Ishmael Addo, 84.

Lineups: USA - 1-Delvin Countess, 4-Nelson Akwari (captain), 5-Alexander Yi, 9-Adolfo Gregorio, 14-Oguchi Onyewu, 15-Kyle Beckerman (13-Abe Thompson, 63), 3-DaMarcus Beasley, 7-Kenneth Cutler (captain), 8-Bryan Jackson, 10-Landon Donovan, 16-Jordan Cila (11-Bobby Convey, 77).

GHA - 1-Banahene Owusu (captain), 2-Emmanuel Nkrumah, 5-Michael Donkor, 7-Ibrahim Attiku, 9-Pinpong Razak (6-Kwame Frimpong Pele, 62), 10-Nathaniel Lamptey, 12-Razak Ibrahim, 13-Anthony Obodai, 14-Stephen Tetteh, 15-Ishmael Addo, 18-Bernard Dong-Bortey.

Officials:

Referee: Tajaddia Fares (SYR)

Assistant Referee: Heinrich Mackay (ARU)

Assistant Referee: Seydou Traore (MLI)

Fourth Official: Edgar Ulises Rangel Perez (MEX)

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USA U17s Fall To Australia On PKs,
Plays Ghana For Third Place

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (Wednesday, November 24, 1999) In a remarkable semifinal clash between the USA and Australia, the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team finally succumbed to Australia in the eighth round of penalty kicks after a thrilling 2-2 draw. Despite falling behind 2-0 in the first half, goals by Landon Donovan and Oguchi Onyewu evened the match and eventually sent it into sudden death overtime and then penalty kicks.

U.S. captain Kenneth Cutler hit the final shot of the match just over the crossbar, allowing Australia to grab a spot in the finals with a 7-6 advantage in penalty kicks.

The team will now face Ghana, which also lost on penalty kicks to Brazil in the other semifinal in the third-place game on Saturday in North Harbour Stadium in Auckland (Friday night in the U.S. at 7 p.m. ET live on the DISH Network). The championship game will be played following the third-place match at 10 p.m. ET.

"I am incredibly proud of this team," said head coach John Ellinger after the match, "as our entire country should be. Just a great group of guys who are hurting a lot right now."

For the fourth time in five games, the USA allowed the first goal of the match. This time the surrended a third-minute goal to Australia's Aaron Goulding, who slotted an easy left-foot shot home from inside the goalkeeper area after an Aussie corner kick slid past the U.S. defense into the area.

The second Socceroo goal came from Scott McDonald, who was freed into the left side of the penalty area, turned to beat U.S. defender Onyewu and fired home to the far post on 35 minutes to double the Australian lead.

Just one minute later, though, the dynamic U.S. offense cashed in on a brilliant strike from Donovan, his team-leading third goal of the tournament. After receiving a corner kick on the right wing, Donovan ran a perfect give-and-go with Kyle Beckerman which freed himself up running across the top of the penalty area. After two touches on the ball, Donovan, who earned Man of the Match honors, fired a blistering left-footed laser that curved into the upper left corner of the goal.

The U.S. drew even in the 51st minute with Donovan again being the catalyst. In a carbon copy of his headed game-winning goal against Uruguay, Onyewu lept high at the far post and nodded into the right side of the goal an arching corner kick by Donovan to erase the Aussies' lead.

After a tense and exciting goalless overtime session, the match went to penalties where each of the first 15 shots were all on frame. Only the USA's DaMarcus Beasley (saved in second round) and Australia's Wayne Srhoj (saved in fourth round) missed prior to Cutler's final shot over the bar.

"This team's success over here, and for the last two years, is the essence of what Project 2010 is all about," added Ellinger. "I believe that in 10 or 11 years, these kids and other players that we are still out there scouting, are going to be challenging for a World Cup title when they are 28 and 29-years-old."

1999 U.S. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

AUS - Aaron Goulding, 3. AUS - Scott McDonald, 35. USA - Landon Donovan, (Kyle Beckerman), 36. USA - Oguchi Onyewu, (Landon Donovan), 51.

AUSTRALIA PKs - Mark Byrnes (GOAL), Di Iorio (GOAL), Cansdell-Sherriff (GOAL), Srhoj (save), North (GOAL), MacAllister (GOAL), Aaron Goulding (GOAL), Kennedy (GOAL).

USA PKs - Donovan (GOAL), Beasley (save), Convey (GOAL), Akwari (GOAL), Thompson (GOAL), Gregorio (GOAL), Yi (GOAL), Cutler (high).

Lineups: USA - 1-Delvin Countess, 4-Nelson Akwari (captain), 5-Alexander Yi, 17-Seth Trembly, 14-Oguchi Onyewu, 15-Kyle Beckerman (Kyle Beckerman, 79), 3-DaMarcus Beasley, 7-Kenneth Cutler, 8-Bryan Jackson (9-Adolfo Gregorio, 105), 10-Landon Donovan, 16-Jordan Cila (11-Bobby Convey, 105).

AUS - 1-Jess Kedwell-Vanstrattan, 3-Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, 4-Aaron Goulding, 5-Adrian Madaschi, 6-Mark Byrnes (captain), 7-Jade North, 8-Louis Brain (9-Joseph Di Iorio, 46), 10-Lucas Pantelis, 11-Scott McDonald (12-Joshua Kennedy, 69), 16-Wayne Srhoj, 17-Dylan Macallister.

Officials:

Referee: Byron Aldemar Moreno Ruales (ECU)

Assistant Referee: Dario Miguel Garcia (ARG)

Assistant Referee: Tiejun Liu (CHN)

Fourth Official: Hichem Guirat (TUN)

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USA U17s Beat Mexico 3-2 To Advance
To World Championship Semifinals

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Saturday), November 20, 1999 –The United States U17 National Team roared into the semifinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Championships for the first time with a 3-2 victory over Mexico before 7,483 at New Harbor Stadium.

The USA will advance against the winner of tomorrow’s Australia-Qatar quarterfinal match.

Mexico took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Hector Vallejo in the third minute of play, but the U.S. came back to score twice before halftime to take a 2-1 advantage into the locker room. DaMarcus Beasley and Jordan Cila had the two first-half U.S. goals, and Kyle Beckerman made it 3-1 early in the second half.

Goalkeeper D.J. Countess, who stopped a penalty kick that would have given Mexico a 2-0 lead, and the defensive play of Oguchi Onyewu, also sparked the USA effort. The Americans were missed starting defender Alexander Yi, who missed the game for yellow card accumulation.

"We knew that Mexico was a team that liked to press and come at you early," said U.S. coach John Ellinger. "They got the one chance and put it away. We were disappointed at that point and then when they got the penalty, we were in trouble. But D.J. (Countess) making that save was the rallying point for us. All we needed was a spark, and getting two goals before the end of the first half was a great advantage at the break, especially after what happened early on."

Beasly tied the game in the 37th minute when he took a pass on his chest from midfielder Seth Trembly, settled it from 30-yards out and hit a looping left-footed first-time shot that got past Mexico’s goalkeeper Adolfo Cabrera. Beasley earned his second "Man of the Man" award for his control of play in the midfield against Mexico. It was the second time he had received the honor in the USA’s four matches in New Zealand.

Six minutes later Cila picked up a misplayed ball in the Mexican defensive third and took Cabrera one-on-one and slotted the ball into an empty net for the 2-1 lead. Three minutes into the second half Beckerman headed home a six-yard shot after some slick footwork by Onyewu, who freed himself on the right end line with some nifty footwork.

Mexico cut the margin to 3-2 on a corner kick in the 70th minute.

Mexico finished second in its group by beating Spain, one of the favorites for the World Championship. Brazil, another favorite, had two ties in group play and finished second in its group.

I can’t put it into words right now," said Ellinger. "This team has been together for so long, that to get to this point is just so rewarding. It’s up for grabs now for any of the semifinalists, but I like the match we’ve been presented with, and if we win on Wednesday (Tuesday night in the U.S.), we just need one more win."

United States 3, Mexico 2

United States - D.J. Countess, Nelson Akwari (captain), Oguchi Onyewu, Seth Trembly, Kellen Kelso (Adolfo Gregorio 74), Kenny Cutler, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Bryan Jackson, Landon Donovan, Jordan Cila (Abe Thompson 81)
Mexico - Adolfo Cabrera, Felix Grijalba (Edgar Lopez 58), Julio Bracamones, Mario Perez, Ernesto Parada, Hector Vallejo, Juan Estrada, Ricardo Sanchez (captain), Aaron Galindo, Gustavo Ramirez (Geraldo Hernandez 72), Yered Yanez.

Scoring: Mexico - Vallejo (Estrada) 3; United States - Beasley (Trembly) 37; United States - Cila (assist not available) 43; United States - Beckerman (Onyewu) 48; Mexico - Yanez (assist not available) 70.

Yellow card cautions: United States - Donovan 92+, Thompson 93+; Mexico - Sanchez 23, Aguao 86, Perez 86.

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USA U17s Beats Uruguay 1-0 To Win Group A

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Tuesday, November 16, 1999) - The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team stunned Uruguay with a dominating performance and a 90th minute game-winner off the head of Oguchi Onyewu. The 1-0 win gave the U.S. first place in Group A and advances the young Americans to a quarterfinal matchup with Mexico on Friday evening at 8 p.m. ET live on the DISH Network (800-333-DISH).

In extending their record unbeaten streak to an amazing 23 games, the U.S. dominated play, especially in the second half. In the 51st minute forward Jordan Cila carried the ball across the top of the penalty area and hit a shot back across the goal that just skated wide of the right post. The U.S. continued to attack the Uruguyan goal with one of the prettiest exchanges of the tournament resulting in a near miss by Cila from 12 yards in the 62nd minute.

Cila began the play attacking the Uruguyan third and playing a ball to Landon Donovan, who flicked a ball to the edge of the area to Kyle Beckerman, who one-timed a ball back out to an on-rushing Cila who missed with only the goalkeeper to beat.

In the 75th minute, Donovan continued his impressive play with a direct kick from 28 yards that thundered off the underside of the crossbar and ricocheted squarely off the goalkeeper’s back and out of play for a corner kick. An amazing strike by the 17-year-old star, but not enough to break the scoreless deadlock.

It wasn't until the 90th minute that the U.S. was able to get on the scoreboard. DaMarcus Beasley bent a perfect corner kick into the box for Onyewu to outleap everyone and nod home the game-winner.

The U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team actually qualified for the quarterfinals of the tournament prior to kickoff after New Zealand shocked Poland with a 2-1 victory in Group A action.

The U.S. wins the group with a 2-0-1 record and seven points, ahead of Uruguay with a 1-1-1 mark and four points. Beasley was named Man of the Match. The only sour note came when defender Alexander Yi received a late yellow card and will now be forced to miss the quarterfinal encounter with Mexico.

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USA Rallies To Tie Poland On PK

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Saturday, November 13, 1999) - The U.S. Men's Under-17 National Team managed a 1-1 draw tonight against a powerful and strong Polish team in their second match of group play at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, hosted by New Zealand, November 10-27. A USA win against Uruguay on Tuesday evening, Nov. 16, will assure the U.S. a place in the quarterfinals and as the top team from Group A.

Uruguay and the USA are both atop of Group A with four points apiece with Uruguay having a plus-five goal differential while the U.S. has a plus one. Poland sits in third place with two draws and two points with a zero goal differential while New Zealand is in fourth place with two losses and a minus six goal differential. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals to be played Nov. 20-21.

Poland used their physical strength and enormous size from the opening whistle, but a brave U.S. team would not give in. The young Americans scored a just equalizer in the 89th minute after numerous forays at the Polish goal in the second half, extending the U.S. unbeaten streak to 22-matches and a 18-0-4 record.

The U.S. struggled to find its rhythm in the first half while Poland put the U.S. under pressure threatening to score numerous times off long throw-ins and corner kicks.

U.S. midfielder Kyle Beckerman (Crofton, MD) had the best chance for the U.S. in the first half when he got behind the Polish defense only to get a weak right footed shot off that was saved by the Poland keeper'.

Shortly before half, U.S. midfielder Bobby Convey (Philadelphia) brought down Polish striker Piotr Brozek inside the box and the Paraguayan referee awarded a penalty kick. Lukasz Madjed converted the penalty kick, his second goal of the tournament, giving the Poles a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

The U.S. side refused to give into the bigger and more physical Polish squad and found their rhythm in the second half, creating some good scoring chances.

DaMarcus Beasley (Ft. Wayne, IN) almost knocked in the tying goal in the 55th minute when Landon Donovan (Redlands, CA) threaded a ball into space behind the Polish defense to Beasley that left him one-on-one with the keeper'. A last second slide tackle by Polish defender Lukasz Nawotczynski blocked Beasley's shot on goal.

With only minutes remaining Donovan chased down a long cross from the right side, turning and taking on his Polish defender. Donovan carried the ball with the top of his foot baiting the defender and then exploded by him into the box where he was taken down in the 89th minute. The referee was left with no choice put to blow the whistle, point to the spot and award the U.S. a penalty kick. Donovan made no mistake in finishing the penalty giving the U.S. a much-deserved draw against a very strong Polish side.

Donovan, who earned his first U-23 cap earlier this year against Brazil, said of his penalty "I received the ball on the left side and just wanted to get by the defender and hit a cross. When I got by him he took me down and fouled me. I have taken penalty kicks all week in training and every time I have gone to the right but when I looked at how the keeper was standing I thought he would go right, so I decided to shoot for the left corner. The keeper' dove the right way but I wasn't going to miss."

POL - Lukasz Madej, (penalty kick), 43, USA - Landon Donovan, (penalty kick), 89.

Lineups: USA - 1- Delvin Countess, 4-Nelson Akwari, 17-Seth Trembly, 5-Alexander Yi, 3-DaMarcus Beasley, 8-Bryan Jackson, 15-Kyle Beckerman, 7-Kenneth Cutler (12-Raul Palomares, 81), 11-Bobby Convey (9-Adolfo Gregorio, 46), 16-Jordan Cila (13-Abe Thompson, 46), 10-Landon Donovan.

POL - 12-Pawel Kapsa, 2-Marcin Rogalski, 3-Adrian Napierala (15-Robert Sierant, 58), 4-Tomasz Wisio, 5-Wojciech Szymanek, 7-Lukasz Nawotczynski, 9-Lukasz Madej, 10-Lukasz Mierzejewski (11-Radoslaw Matusiak, 84), 13-Piotr Brozek, 17-Kamil Kuzera, 18-Pawel Brozek (8-Dariusz Zawadzki, 70).

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New U17 Team Invited To 2000 Residency Camp

While the current USA’s U17 Men’s team is competing for the FIFA U17 World Championship in New Zealand, another group of young American players are making plans to leave home and attend US Soccer’s residency program in Florida next January.

This new team of ‘84 players will be the second team taken into a residency program at the Bollettieri Sports Academy in Bradenton, and they will begin a two-year process of qualifying for the 2001 U17 World Championship, which will be held in Trinidad.

Among the 18 players invited to residency camp are five from the South and Middle Atlantic regions, including defender Gray Griffin of Huntersville, NC, and forward Josh Villalobos of Fayetteville.

Also invited are Edward Johnson of Brunnell, FL, Justin Mapp of Brandon, MS, and Santino Quaranta of Baltimore, MD.

The 18 players will attend a training camp at the academy Dec. 1-5. Their parents will join them Dec. 3-5 for and orientation program at which time the parents and players will meet with U.S. Soccer and academy officials, including Bradenton Academy (where they will attend school) administrators.

The full-time residency program is scheduled for January 15-June 1, 2000. Players will be evaluated and invitations to the fall residency program will be made during the summer.

This team, comprised mostly of high school juniors, is tentatively scheduled to play in Mexico (Guadalajara) in February, and will play a tournament in Trididad & Tobago in late March. Also in that tournament is Brazil, England and Trinidad & Tobago.

The team will also participate in the Ballymena Millennium Tournament in Northern Ireland.

Qualifying for the 2001World Championship will begin in November.

Craig Capano (Hyde Park, NY); David Chun (Irvine, CA); Daniel Fiore (Bartlett, IL); Gray Griffin (Huntersville, NC); Jordan Harvey (Mission Viego, CA); Jacob Jackson (Portland, OR); Edward Johnson (Bunnell, FL); Paul Johnson (Princeton, NJ); Chris Lancos (Belford, NJ); Justin Mapp (Brandon, MS); Heath Pearce (Modesto, CA); Santino Quaranta (Baltimore, MD); Zachary Riffett (Brenham, TX); Marco Rodriguez (Diamond Bar, CA); Mario Rodriguez (Diamond Bar, CA); Chefik Simo (Plano, TX); Jordan Stone (Allen, TX); Josh Villalobos (Fayetteville, NC).

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Wednesday, November 10, 1999) - The U.S. Men's Under-17 National Team scored two second-half goals to defeat host New Zealand 2-1 in the opener of the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Youth Championship in Auckland, New Zealand. The game was played in a steady downpour and fierce wind, which severly affected both teams play.

New Zealand got on the board first in the 15th minute, with midfielder David Mulligan getting his head on a free kick from the left wing and beating U.S. goalkeeper Delvin Countess to the near post. After being booked in the first half, Mulligan was carded a second time for a reckless tackle on U.S. forward Landon Donovan in the 50th minute, giving the U.S. a man-advantage for most of the second half.

With the wind finally at their backs in the second half, second-half substitute Abe Thompson beat two New Zealand defenders on the edge of the box, and hit a tough-angle shot past a stalwart New Zealand goalkeeper to the near post in the 68th minute.

Just five minutes later star forward Donovan calmly one-timed a soft, full-volley flick from 8 yards out, to give the U.S. the well-deserved lead. The assist on the play came from a long, arcing pass from the left wing from Oguchi Onyewu, who would later receive a tough red card ejection in the third minute of stoppage time.

In addition to the two second-half goals, the U.S. twice hit the woodwork in the half, with Jordan Cila hitting the post from close range in the 58th minute and Kyle Beckerman blasting a side-volley from 15 yards out off the underside of the crossbar on 73 minutes.

The U.S. U-17s are now unbeaten in their last 21 international matches and take on Poland on Nov. 13 in New Zealand in their second match (late Friday night in the USA).

NZ - David Mulligan, 15, USA - Abe Thompson, (DaMarcus Beasley), 68, USA - Landon Donovan, (Oguchi Onyewu), 73.

Lineups: USA - Delvin Countess, Alexander Yi, Nelson Akwari, Oguchi Onyewu, Greg Martin (Bryan Jackson, 46), Kenneth Cutler (captain), Bobby Convey, Kyle Beckerman, DaMarcus Beasley (Adolfo Gregorio, 93+), Jordan Cila (Abe Thompson, 63), Landon Donovan.

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Arena Names Young Team
For Sept. 8 Match In Jamaica

U.S. National Coach Bruce Arena has selected a very young roster for the Sept. 8 full-international game against Jamaica in Kingston. Fifteen of the 18 players selected have less than eight international appearances. Eddie Lewis, with 13 caps, got all of those over the last 10 months.

The U. S. and Jamaican U17 teams are scheduled to kickoff the doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. (ET). Neither game will be televised.

It was expected that most of the top U.S. professionals would not be called in for the men’s match. The only two players selected with extensive experience are defender Eddie Pope and forward Brian McBride. Pope is coming off a foot injury that has kept him out of National Team games since the start of the ’99 season, and McBride also missed several U.S. and MLS games with an injury early in the year.

Eight players, all except Steve Cherundolo from Major League Soccer, will be making their first U.S. international debut if they see action. Cherundolo is a starting defender for Hannover 96 of the German second division. Arena picked four players from the U.S. U23 team that will begin CONCACAF qualifying next April for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

The roster selected by Arena contains several MLS statistical leaders. The most notable is Dallas Burn forward Jason Kreis, who with 14 goals and 12 assists, is currently tied for the league scoring lead. Also on the squad are Chicago’s Ante Razov (12 goals, six assists), Chicago’s Josh Wolff (10 goals, two assists), Miami’s Henry Gutierrez (four goals, 13 assists) and Tampa Bay midfielder Steve Ralston (four goals, 13 assists.

Zach Thornton and Kevin Hartman, both goalkeeper leaders in MLS, will guard the U.S. goal.

Coach John Ellinger’s U17 team roster is basically the same squad that has played most of the games this year.

U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Jamaica National Team

GK: Kevin Hartman, Zach Thornton. Defenders: Steve Cherundolo, Leo Cullen, Chad McCarty, Eddie Pope, Greg Vanney. Midfield: Henry Gutierrez, Jay Heaps, Jason Kreis, Eddie Lewis, Steve Ralston, Billy Walsh, Richie Williams. Forwards: Chris Albright, Brian McBride, Ante Razov, Josh Wolff

GK: Delvin Countess, Steve Cronin. Defenders: Nelson Akwari, Kellen Kalso, Greg Martin, Oguchi Onyewu, Alexandere Yi. Midfield: Seth Trembly, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Kenneth Cutler, Justin Detter, Aldolfo Gregorio, Bryan Jackson. Forwards: Jordan Cila, Bobby Convey, Landon Donovan, Abe Thompson, Peter Withers.

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