Brazil Beats U.S. U20s In Title Match.
A sloppy giveaway by the U.S. in its defensive end allowed Edno to find Tavares free in the area. The striker went in alone on Steve Cronin and slotted the ball under the sliding American goalkeeper. For the first time in this tournament, the U.S. had conceded the opening goal of a match.
The U.S. men opened the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Brazil before winning consecutive matches over Italy, Ukraine and Uruguay to advance to tonight’s final. Brazil finished the tournament undefeated in five matches.
Cronin, who made three saves tonight, was named the tournament’s top goalkeeper. His biggest test came in the 43rd minute when he stoned Brazilian striker Marcelo in a one-on-one.
“I thought we played well in the second half tonight, but you can’t expect to beat Brazil if you only play one half”, said U.S. coach Thomas Rongen. “This tournament was a very positive experience for this team, and I think we learned a lot that will help us when the (CONCACAF world championship) qualifying tournament comes around in November.”
The first half was a stagnant one, as both teams showed the wear and tear of playing five international matches in six days. The U.S. outshot the Brazilians 5-4 in the half, but Brazilian goalkeeper Diego made four saves to keep the Americans off the board.
Striker Mike Magee, who scored four goals in his only other start of the tournament, started tonight in place of suspended captain Devin Barclay who was suspended for accumulating three yellow cards in earlier matches. Magee had the best American chance in the first half, slipping behind the defense to get to Eddie Johnson’s flick but goalkeeper Diego slid out to block Magee’s shot.
Johnson nearly equalized in the 65th minute, but his flashing header from a corner kick from midfielder Justin Mapp was somehow pushed just wide by Diego.
Brazil committed twice as many fouls as the Americans, 24-12, and had six players receive yellow cards, three in stoppage time of the 80-minute match.
This tournament was the final match preparation for the U.S. before World Youth Championship qualifying at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., from November 13-17. The top two teams from the four-team round robin qualify for the 2003 world under-20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates from March 25-April 16.
Notes: The U.S. scored 11 goals in the tournament, the most of any team. Tbe U.S., playing a man down for the second time in the tournament, defeated previously unbeatn and unscored upon Uruguay 5-2 in the semifinals. In group play the U.S. rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat Italy 2-1 on goals by Johnson and Barclay, and routed Ukraine 5-2 behind Magee’s four goals.
When these two teams met in the opening game of the tournament, U.S. midfielder Ricardo Clark (Furman) received two yellow cards and was sent off in the 34th minute, leaving the Americans with 10 men for the remaining 46 minutes.
Brazil 1, United States 0
Lineups: United States – Steve Cronin, Chefik Simo, Ryan Cochrane (Jordan Stone 41), Chad Marshall, C.J. Klaas, Justin Mapp (Raul Palomares 76), Ricardo Clark, Ned Grabavoy (Knox Cameron 73), David Johnson (Mike Ambersley 41), Eddie Johnson (captain), 20-Mike Magee. Brazil – Diego, Marquinhos (captain), Glauber, Vinicius, Edno, Wendel, Dudu, Marcelo (Bruno Moraes 85+), Leandro (Ygor 78 ), Caca, Tavares.
Scoring:
Brazil – Tavares (Edno) 9.
Shots: United States 7, Brazil 7. Saves: United States 3, Brazil 5. Corner kicks: United States 5, Brazil 12. Fouls: United States 12, Brazil 24. United States: United States 2, Brazil 4. Yellow card cautions: Brazil – Dudu 54, Glauber 55, Leandro 77, Edno 83+, Diego 85+, Ygor 86+.
Attendance: 5,000 in L’Alcudia, Spain Weather: 68 degrees; cool, clear.