ST. LOUIS— It was a day full of national team action with Philadelphia Union ties as the U-17 (2010), U-19, and USMNT all had international friendlies. The U-17s were victorious 2-1 over the Netherlands, the U-19s beat Wales 2-0, and the senior team won 4-2 over Chile.
Frankie Westfield and Neil Pierre got their first starts for the US Men’s National Team in their second caps, playing 62 minutes, and Cavan Sullivan, who celebrated his 17th birthday the day prior came off the bench late after starting the first match on Saturday. The rest of the starting lineup included Chris Brady in goal, Sergiño Dest, captain Antonee Robinson, Gio Reyna, Miles Robinson, Sebastian Berhalter, Brooklyn Raines, Julian Hall, and Adri Mehmeti.
The match proved a valuable learning experience for both Pierre and Westfield, who mixed stretches of quality play with moments that exposed their inexperience at this level. A contest like this served as a bit of a measuring stick and is sure to provide important lessons going forward.
Sebastian Berhalter broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, slotting home the opener. Chile pulled level just before halftime, then seized the lead in the 49th minute. The US hit back almost immediately, though, as Julian Hall scored his second goal in as many matches to make it 2-2.
Westfield and Pierre were replaced in the 62nd and 63rd minute, respectively. Chris Richards scored on a wonderful header, assisted by Berhalter, to give the United States the 3-2 lead in the 72nd minute. The latter was subbed out for Sullivan in the 83rd minute, who immediately injected fresh energy into the match. The young midfielder went on some quality runs and brought pressure around the goal, and once again looked like he belonged there.
The US tacked on one more goal in stoppage time to make it 4-2 as another 17-year-old made an impact, with Mathis Albert scoring on a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced down and into the goal to become the youngest USMNT goalscorer at 17 years, 131 days. It was assisted by former Union homegrown Auston Trusty.
In the waning moments of stoppage time, tempers flared after a Chilean player took a late kick at a ball that keeper Brian Schwake had already secured, drawing an angry reaction from the US players. Once the referee sorted out the yellow cards and finally blew the whistle to end the match, the teams clashed again, bringing the “friendly” to a decidedly unfriendly close. Still, it was another match that showcased the impressive young talent in this US squad, and the edge they showed will no doubt be vital in their next competition.
The US will head to Glendale, Arizona to play Mexico on Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 PM ET.
U-17 squad beats the Netherlands
Earlier in the day, Jeremy Hall’s U-17 (2010) squad bested the Netherlands 2-1 at the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro Del Pinatar, Spain in their second match of the window. They had beaten Scotland on Saturday 4-1 in match that Union Academy defender Landon Mulvenna started.
This time, Mulvenna came off the bench in the 61st minute and played a solid shift in the US’s win. They will play Belgium next on October 1.
U-19s victorious over Wales
Meanwhile, in Marbella, Spain, two of Union II’s standout late-season performers were in the starting XI for the US in a 2-0 win over Wales. It was the opening match of the international window for Rob Valentino’s squad, who are slated to play three games in total.
Striker Theo Reed and midfielder Kellan LeBlanc were impactful, with LeBlanc registering an assist on the game-winner by Brandon Dayes. Wales also scored an own goal. LeBlanc nearly had a second assist as he sent Reed in 1v1 versus the goalkeeper, but Reed’s shot hit the post.
They will next face England on October 2 at the Marbella Football Center.
Main article photo credit: US Soccer
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