U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team opens Milk Cup with 1-1 draw vs. Mexico

BALLYMONEY, Northern Ireland – The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team kicked off the 2013 Northern Ireland Milk Cup with a 1-1 draw against Mexico at Riada Stadium.

Amando Moreno scored the USA’s lone goal in the fifth minute, but the U-18s surrendered the lead late in the second half.

In the buildup toward Moreno’s tally, fellow New York Red Bulls homegrown signing and defender Matthew Miazga cleared the ball up the field to Rubio Rubin, who chested the ball and dished to Moreno behind the Mexico defense. Moreno shot the ball low toward the left of the goal past Mexico goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, a Dallas native and FC Dallas homegrown player.

The lead stayed intact until the 71st minute when Mexico capitalized on a set piece opportunity. A corner kick bounced around in the box and Sergio Adrian Flores slotted the ball into the net as Mexico salvaged a point.

Next up for the U.S. U-18s is a match against host Northern Ireland on Wednesday, July 31. Northern Ireland is coming off a 2-1 victory against Denmark on Monday to take the early lead in the tournament’s Elite division.

— U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team Match Report —

Match: U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team vs. Mexico U-18 Men’s National Team
Date: July 29, 2013
Competition: 2013 Northern Ireland Milk Cup
Venue: Riada Stadium; Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Kickoff: 8 p.m. local
Weather: 61 degrees, partly sunny

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
MEX 0 1 1

USA – Amando Moreno (Rubio Rubin) 5th minute
MEX – Sergio Adrian Flores 71

Lineups:
USA: 1-Ethan Horvath; 3-Shaquell Moore, 5-Matthew Miazga, 14-Michael Amick, 17-John Requejo Jr., 4-Jordan Allen (capt.), 6-Jacori Hayes, 9-Lynden Gooch (15-Piakai Henkel, 70), 16-Ahinga Selemani (8-Alex Muyl, 79), 11-Rubio Rubin (18-Andrija Novakovich, 65), 10-Amando Moreno
Subs Not Used: 2-Trevor Haberkorn, 7-Christopher Lema, 12-Santiago Castaño, 13-Brian Iloski
Head Coach: Javier Perez

MEX: 1-Jose Manuel Gonzalez; 2-Luis Martir, 3-Carlos Arreola, 4-Rodrigo Gonzalez, 5-Kevin Gutierrez, 8-Jose David Ramirez (18-Hirving Lozano, 60), 6-Sergio Adrian Flores (capt.), 10-Sergio Alfonso Rodriguez (16-Sergio Rodriguez, 46), 7-Simon Almeida (19-Diego Bollella, 60), 11-Diego Pineda (17-Erick Gutierrez, 67), 9-Daniel Rios
Subs Not Used: 12-Luis Gonzalez, 13-Edgar Portilla, 14-Cesar Jaime
Head Coach: Arteaga Alberto

Stats Summary: USA / MEX
Shots: 9 / 7
Shots on Goal: 6 / 3
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 15
Offside: 1 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Michael Amick (caution) 15
MEX – Carlos Alberto Arreola (caution) 34
MEX – Sergio Alfonso Rodriguez (caution) 45
MEX – Sergio Rodriguez (caution) 48