U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team concludes trip to Italy with 2-0 loss to Zambia U-17 MNT

SAVOGNA D’ISONZO, Italy – The U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team finished its 12-day trip to northern Italy with a 2-0 loss in an international friendly to the Zambia U-17 Men’s National Team.

Zambia, which brought its U-17 FIFA World Cup Qualifying squad to the Torneo delle Nazioni – an international youth tournament in which both Zambia and the U.S. recently finished competing – received a pair of goals from midfielder Enock Mwepu in its friendly victory against the U.S.

The friendly against Zambia wraps up a long trip for the U-15 BNT, which went 1-2-0 against U-16 Men’s National Teams from Slovenia, Mexico and China PR at the Torneo delle Nazioni and also dropped a 3-0 decision to the Japan U-16 MNT in an international friendly two days ago.

The competition in Italy was the first overseas international tournament attended by this current crop of U.S. players, all of whom were born after Jan. 1, 1999.

The U.S. U-15 BNT, which is coached by National Soccer Hall of Famer Hugo Perez, serves as a development and identification program for potential future National Team players – primarily at the U-17 age level. The U-15 team has already sent a handful of players on to play for Richie Williams’ U-17 squad since the current cycle began last fall.

The U-15 BNT will next gather in August for a domestic training camp in Carson, California, to continue learning the culture and style of play consistent throughout all U.S. National Teams.

– U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. U-15 BNT vs. Zambia U-17 MNT
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2014
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Field Municipal Savogna d’Isonzo – Savogna d’Isonzo, Italy
Kickoff: 11 a.m. local (5 a.m. ET)
Attendance: 30
Weather: 66 degrees; Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
ZAM 1 1 2

ZAM – Enock Mwepu 11th minute
ZAM – Enock Mwepu 43
Lineups:
USA: 1-Carlos Avilez (12-Eric Lopez, 31); 4-Kyle Gruno (capt.), 2-Angel Uribe, 5-McKay Eves, 3-Jose Alfaro Jr. (2-Gabe Kash, 52); 7-Juan Torres, 8-Jonathan Gonzalez, 10-Jose Carranza (20-Jeanpaul Marin, 51), 25-Marty Raygoza; 6-Adolfo Trujillo (21-Hanif Wright, 58), 9-Lucas Del Rosario
Subs not used: 11-Leo Marquez, 16-Sam Vines, 17-Raul Aguilera Jr.
Head Coach: Hugo Perez

ZAM: 16-Daniel Skantika; 15-Wayne Museba, 3-Prosper Chiluta, 13-Edward Chimfwembe, 18-Njavwa Shula; 20-Ben Chali, 11-Enock Mwepu, 14-Chanwe Kalale, 17-Paison Daka; 8-Dumulo Siwarwi (6-Shadrick Kambwili, 57), 19-Edwin Chipile (2-Giff Sikaonwa, 46)
Subs not used: 12-Mahibo Mwiinwa, 10-Mwape Chisesa
Head Coach: Chris Kounda

Stats Summary: USA / ZAM
Shots: 1 / 17
Shots on Goal: 0 / 8
Saves: 6 / 0
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 4 / 6
Offside: 0 / 3

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
n/a