Forward Josh Perez scored three goals in the opening half and the U.S Under-17 Men’s National Team defeated Guatemala 4-1 in Group A action at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship at Estadio Francisco Morazán.Perez became the second player to record a hat trick in the tournament, following in the footsteps of Joe Gallardo who posted three goals in the USA’s opening 5-0 victory against Cuba.
With the win, the U.S. is now one victory away from clinching first place in the group and, most importantly, a berth to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The USA next faces Honduras at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8, at Estadio Francisco Morazán (FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Sports GO, Univision Deportes).
Earlier Thursday in Group A play, Jamaica and Cuba drew 1-1. Jamaica moved to 1-1-1 (4 points) in the tournament and Cuba to 0-1-2 (2 points). Host side Honduras faces Trinidad & Tobago in Thursday night’s last Group A game. Prior to the start of that game, the USA (3-0-0, 9 points) holds a five-point lead over second-place Honduras (1-0-1, 4 points).
In addition to Perez’s performance, Pierre Da Silva scored his first goal of the tournament and goalkeeper Will Pulisic improved to 5-0-0 in 2015 and 3-0-0 in qualifying.
Guatemala’s Erick Soto eventually got his team on the score sheet in the 65th minute. That broke an impressive 245-minute shutout streak by the USA defense in the tournament.
Additional Notes:
- The U-17 MNT is now 6-1-0 in international play this year.
- The USA moved to 5-0-0 all-time against Guatemala in this tournament’s history.
- Head coach Richie Williams’ starting lineup featured seven changes from the USA’s 2-0 victory against Trinidad & Tobago.
- Will Pulisic returned for his third straight start in the tournament at goalkeeper.
- The defensive line featured three changes, while Matthew Olosunde started at right back for a third consecutive game. The rest of the back line featured Tyler Adams on the left and a center back duo of Daniel Barbir and Alexis Velela. Barbir made his first appearance in qualifying. Velela started for the second time and Adams earned his first start after coming off the bench in the first two games.
- The midfield in the USA’s 4-3-3 formation included the third consecutive start for Christian Pulisic in an attacking role. Luca de la Torre started for a second straight game and Eric Calvillo returned to the starting lineup. Calvillo, who also started in the opening victory against Cuba, wore the captain’s armband.
- The USA went with an entirely different starting front line, with Brandon Vazquez at center for Joe Gallardo, Josh Perez on the right wing for Haji Wright and Pierre Da Silva on the left for Alejandro Zendejas. It was Perez’s second start of the tournament and the first starts for Vazquez and Da Silva.
- The USA has started 18 different players in the three games. The only two who have not earned starts are forward McKinze Gaines and goalkeeper Kevin Silva.
- Christian Pulisic leads the U-17 MNT with 32 international caps in this cycle dating back to 2013.
- Defender John Nelson entered the game to open the second half, replacing Christian Pulisic, who took a knock to set up the USA’s penalty kick late in the first half. Adams pushed up into the midfield.
- In the 51st minute, Tommy McCabe entered for Olosunde.
- Gaines was the final sub, replacing Perez in the 77th minute. Gaines has appeared in all seven U-17 MNT matches this year, and he has come off the bench in all three qualifying games.
– U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team vs. Guatemala U-17 Men’s National Team
Date: March 5, 2015
Competition: 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship
Venue: Estadio Francisco Morazán; San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local)
Attendance: TBA
Weather: 88 degrees; Clear, humid
Date: March 5, 2015
Competition: 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship
Venue: Estadio Francisco Morazán; San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local)
Attendance: TBA
Weather: 88 degrees; Clear, humid
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 1 4
GUA 0 1 1
USA 3 1 4
GUA 0 1 1
USA – Josh Perez 10th minute
USA – Josh Perez (Christian Pulisic) 19
USA – Josh Perez (penalty) 45
USA – Pierre Da Silva (Luca de la Torre) 48
GUA – Erick Soto 65
USA – Josh Perez (Christian Pulisic) 19
USA – Josh Perez (penalty) 45
USA – Pierre Da Silva (Luca de la Torre) 48
GUA – Erick Soto 65
Lineups:
USA: 1-Will Pulisic; 2-Matthew Olosunde (16-Thomas McCabe, 51), 4-Alexis Velela, 15-Danny Barbir, 18-Tyler Adams; 6-Eric Calvillo (capt.), 8-Luca de la Torre, 10-Christian Pulisic (3-John Nelson, 46); 11-Josh Perez (13-McKinze Gaines, 77), 19-Brandon Vazquez, 17-Pierre Da Silva
Subs Not Used: 5-Hugo Arellano, 7-Haji Wright, 9-Joe Gallardo, 12-Kevin Silva, 14-Tanner Dieterich, 20-Alejandro Zendejas
Head Coach: Richie Williams
USA: 1-Will Pulisic; 2-Matthew Olosunde (16-Thomas McCabe, 51), 4-Alexis Velela, 15-Danny Barbir, 18-Tyler Adams; 6-Eric Calvillo (capt.), 8-Luca de la Torre, 10-Christian Pulisic (3-John Nelson, 46); 11-Josh Perez (13-McKinze Gaines, 77), 19-Brandon Vazquez, 17-Pierre Da Silva
Subs Not Used: 5-Hugo Arellano, 7-Haji Wright, 9-Joe Gallardo, 12-Kevin Silva, 14-Tanner Dieterich, 20-Alejandro Zendejas
Head Coach: Richie Williams
GUA: 12-Gilder Lemus; 2-David Ramos, 4-Fernando Fuentes (capt.), 5-Mario Rodas, 17-Abel Lemus (19-Oliver Diaz, 53); 6-Stefan Behrens, 10-John Mendez, 11-Diego Raymundo (14-Erick Soto, 51), 13-Victor Valdez; 7-Esteban Garcia, 20-Richard Rodriguez (16-Moises Orellana, 58)
Subs Not Used: 1-Angel Castro; 3-Ganzalo Deras, 8-Alvaro Velasquez, 9-Francisco Spross, 15-Armando Aroche, 18-Juan Diego Riley
Head Coach: Juan Manuel Funes
Subs Not Used: 1-Angel Castro; 3-Ganzalo Deras, 8-Alvaro Velasquez, 9-Francisco Spross, 15-Armando Aroche, 18-Juan Diego Riley
Head Coach: Juan Manuel Funes
Stats Summary: USA / GUA
Shots: 15 / 8
Shots on Goal: 7 / 4
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 4
Fouls: 11 / 15
Offside: 0 / 1
Shots: 15 / 8
Shots on Goal: 7 / 4
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 4
Fouls: 11 / 15
Offside: 0 / 1