In its first action of the two-year cycle leading up to the 2009 Under-20 World Cup, the U.S. U-18 national team fell to host France, 3-1, on Tuesday night at the Limoges Tournament.

The game was delayed a day because the U-18s, scheduled to leave for France on Saturday, had to take alternate flights on Sunday due to a strike by cabin crew members of Air France.

Bill Schuler scored for the U.S. U-18s two minutes after Emmanuel Riviere (St. Etienne) put the Bleuets ahead in the opening game played at the Beaublanc Stadium. France pulled away on goals by Damien Le Tallec, younger brother of French League star Anthony Le Tallec, and Steven Joseph-Montrose (Lens) in the 89th and 92nd minutes, respectively.