The U.S. battled back from an early deficit, and after two goals from Josh Sargent and second-half strikes from Blaine Ferri and Ayo Akinola, earned a 4-3 win against archrival Mexico in the teams’ second game of the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. The result marks the USA’s first-ever World Cup Qualifying victory against Mexico at the U-17 level and also ends El Tri’s 25-match unbeaten streak in CONCACAF U-17 Championship play.
United Homegrown Player Chris Durkin started and played 90 minutes in the win. With six points from its first two matches at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, the U.S. has clinched a berth to the tournament’s Classification Stage.
Playing through monsoon-like conditions for much of the game, the U.S. had to overcome an early deficit when Roberto de la Rosa slipped through to bury the game’s opening goal in the sixth minute. Sargent began the comeback 20 minutes later, displaying a wonderful piece of skill before sending the U.S. equalizer past Mexico goalkeeper Andre Alcaraz. The U-17 MNT captain then exercised on a grinding individual effort in the box to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead in the 40th minute, only to have de la Rosa head home the Mexico equalizer in the 44th.
John Hackworth’s side was unperturbed by the tying goal, as Andrew Carleton came close to breaking the deadlock in the 49th minute before setting up Blaine Ferri for the go-ahead goal in the 51st. The U.S. largely frustrated Mexico as they looked for the equalizer and caught El Trí out once again as Ayo Akinola added an insurance goal in the 84th minute.
Undeterred by the two-goal margin, Mexico continued to push and pulled one back in second-half stoppage time as U.S. defender Jaylin Lindsey’s own goal cut the deficit, but the U.S. held strong in the dying moments to earn the three points.
The win marks the USA’s first-ever victory against Mexico in CONCACAF U-17 Championship play and also officially clinches the team’s berth in the tournament’s Classification Stage.
The U.S. now just needs a draw in Saturday’s match against El Salvador (who have two United academy prospects, Alexis Cerritos and Allexon Saravia) to finish atop Group C. Cerritos scored El Salvador's only goal in their match against Jamaica on Wednesday.
