The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team was defeated 2-0 by Nigeria in the teams’ opening match of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. The match was
The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team was defeated 2-0 by Nigeria in the teams’ opening match of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. The match was scoreless for the first 49 minutes of play until Chukwudi Agor broke the tie with a goal in the 50th minute and then assisted on Victor Osimhen’s score eleven minutes later.
The U.S. had a number of opportunities early in the first half, where they were able to work the ball up the left wing and fire in several crosses early on. The best chance for the U.S. came early, when in the 13th minute, Christian Pulisic whipped in a cross from the left that Haji Wright hit over the bar from close range.
Wright’s miss seemed to shock the Nigerians to life as they regrouped and started taking the game to the U.S. The Nigerians attacked with direct balls over the top and around the outside of the U.S. defense and their tireless running proved overwhelming for the United States. In the 50th minute, Austin Trusty failed to clear a deep cross from the Nigerian’s right wing. Chukwudi Agor pounced on the loose ball in the box and fired a shot into the roof of the net. A few minutes later, Chukwudi Agor won a header and flicked on a long ball over the top to striker Victor Osimhen who powered through an attempted tackle from Trusty and fired in his first goal of the tournament.
Trusty’s day went from bad to worse in the 87th minute when he was shown a straight red card for appearing to stamp on Victor Osimhen out near the touchline. Video replays indicated that the Nigerian striker embellished trusty’s honest attempt to win the ball and ultimately fooled the ref into sending off the U.S. defender.
The U.S. MNT will look to bounce back in its second group game at Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar Chile on Tuesday, Oct. 20 against Croatia, but will have to do so without defenders Austin Trusty who is suspended, and Matthew Olosunde, who was subbed off with an injury in the 67th minute. That match will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2 and NBC Universo.
The team will conclude group play on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET against host Chile, a match that will also appear on FOX Sports 2 and NBC Universo.
A total of 24 countries are in Chile participating in the tournament. The top two teams in each group, as well as the best four third-place teams, advance to the Round of 16 on October 28 and 29.
