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USA U20 3-0 Northern Ireland U20: USA Youth Capture Milk Cup Title
A trio of scorers give the Americans the Milk Cup title.
Jul 30, 2010 6:01:00 PM
By J.R. Eskilson
The U.S. cruised to their second Milk Cup Elite Section championship over the home side, Northern Ireland, on Friday. The Thomas Rongen led U-20 squad won 3-0 thanks to goals from Gale Agbossoumonde, Juan Agudelo, and Adrian Ruelas.
The Milk Cup is an international youth tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. Head Coach Rongen was using the tournament as a tune up for the 2011 World Youth Cup in Colombia.
First Half
USA put their foot on the gas pedal early in the first half and didn’t let off. Right back Zarek Valentin sent in a couple dangerous crosses in the opening minutes to give North Ireland trouble but U.S. were unable to find the finishing product.
After two missed free kicks by Alex Molano in the first ten minutes, Gale Agbossoumonde stepped up to take a direct kick from about 30 yards out. His shot, driven low and through the wall, beat the keeper to the corner of the net to put the U.S up 1-0 early.
U.S. continued to keep up the pressure as moments later a Molano corner kick was met by a glancing header at the near-post by Ruelas. The header was excellently saved by Northern Ireland keeper Wayne Drummond.
The Americans should have doubled their lead in the ensuing minutes as another Molano free kick put the Northern Irish in trouble. An in-swinging free kick was dropped by Drummond right on the six yard box and Agudelo tapped it home. However, the referee ruled there had been a foul in the box and waved off the goal.
Ten minutes later, the Americans would get their second goal as Agudelo picked up the ball in the midfield; he slalomed through a handful of defenders before striking a 20 yard bomb, that took a fortuitous deflection, and floated over Drummond to double the U.S. lead.
Northern Ireland made a push in the dying moments of the first half to cut the lead in half, but none of their efforts really troubled Zac MacMath’s net.
Second Half
A good spell at the beginning of the second half by the home side almost saw them get on the scoreboard. Forward Will Grigg was sent in one on one against MacMath, but the rumored future Everton keeper rejected his effort and a recovering U.S. defense cleaned up the rebound.
In the 68th minute, U.S. made the result all but certain. An excellent through pass by Dillon Powers saw Valentin free on the right side. His low cross was met by Ruelas twelve yards from goal. Ruelas made no doubt about it as he notched his third goal of the tournament. The home side fans began to collect their belongings and look for the nearest exit.
In the 75th minute, the Northern Irish frustration was evident. After a free kick was easily saved by MacMath, Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Hegarty stepped on the U.S. keepers ankle to trip him up. Agbossoumonde took exception to the childish play and shoved a couple Northern Irish players. Both Hegarty and Agbossoumonde were shown red for their actions.
The chances after both sides were limited to ten men were scarce; but, just before the 90th minute, Dynamo man, Francisco Navas-Cobo, stole the ball from a Northern Ireland defender and was sent in on goal. His first shot was blocked by Drummond, and the Houston man skied the rebound to keep the score 3-0.
Northern Ireland had one last chance before the final whistle. Again, Grigg had an opportunity to put his name in the lights, but his effort from six yards out was stonewalled by MacMath.
After three minutes of injury time, U.S. were crowned champions of Milk Cup Elite Section for the first time since 2005. New York Red Bulls man, Juan Agudelo, won player of the match honors.
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
The Milk Cup is an international youth tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. Head Coach Rongen was using the tournament as a tune up for the 2011 World Youth Cup in Colombia.
First Half
USA put their foot on the gas pedal early in the first half and didn’t let off. Right back Zarek Valentin sent in a couple dangerous crosses in the opening minutes to give North Ireland trouble but U.S. were unable to find the finishing product.
After two missed free kicks by Alex Molano in the first ten minutes, Gale Agbossoumonde stepped up to take a direct kick from about 30 yards out. His shot, driven low and through the wall, beat the keeper to the corner of the net to put the U.S up 1-0 early.
U.S. continued to keep up the pressure as moments later a Molano corner kick was met by a glancing header at the near-post by Ruelas. The header was excellently saved by Northern Ireland keeper Wayne Drummond.
The Americans should have doubled their lead in the ensuing minutes as another Molano free kick put the Northern Irish in trouble. An in-swinging free kick was dropped by Drummond right on the six yard box and Agudelo tapped it home. However, the referee ruled there had been a foul in the box and waved off the goal.
Ten minutes later, the Americans would get their second goal as Agudelo picked up the ball in the midfield; he slalomed through a handful of defenders before striking a 20 yard bomb, that took a fortuitous deflection, and floated over Drummond to double the U.S. lead.
Northern Ireland made a push in the dying moments of the first half to cut the lead in half, but none of their efforts really troubled Zac MacMath’s net.
Second Half
A good spell at the beginning of the second half by the home side almost saw them get on the scoreboard. Forward Will Grigg was sent in one on one against MacMath, but the rumored future Everton keeper rejected his effort and a recovering U.S. defense cleaned up the rebound.
In the 68th minute, U.S. made the result all but certain. An excellent through pass by Dillon Powers saw Valentin free on the right side. His low cross was met by Ruelas twelve yards from goal. Ruelas made no doubt about it as he notched his third goal of the tournament. The home side fans began to collect their belongings and look for the nearest exit.
In the 75th minute, the Northern Irish frustration was evident. After a free kick was easily saved by MacMath, Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Hegarty stepped on the U.S. keepers ankle to trip him up. Agbossoumonde took exception to the childish play and shoved a couple Northern Irish players. Both Hegarty and Agbossoumonde were shown red for their actions.
The chances after both sides were limited to ten men were scarce; but, just before the 90th minute, Dynamo man, Francisco Navas-Cobo, stole the ball from a Northern Ireland defender and was sent in on goal. His first shot was blocked by Drummond, and the Houston man skied the rebound to keep the score 3-0.
Northern Ireland had one last chance before the final whistle. Again, Grigg had an opportunity to put his name in the lights, but his effort from six yards out was stonewalled by MacMath.
After three minutes of injury time, U.S. were crowned champions of Milk Cup Elite Section for the first time since 2005. New York Red Bulls man, Juan Agudelo, won player of the match honors.
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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