[UNDER-17 WORLD CUP] Following its 2-1 loss to Spain, the USA will look to get on the winning track against Malawi Thursday at the Under-17 World Cup in Kano, Nigeria (TV: ESPNU, ESPN360.com, 11 am ET). The Americans will be battling history -- they have a 1-6-1 record against African teams at the Under-17 World Cup -- and the conditions -- the game will kick off in the afternoon when temperatures are expected to reach 95 degrees.

The U.S. U-17s rued their inability to put away several breakaways against Spain, and their chances against Malawi should depend on their ability to convert the chances that should come their way against the Young Flames.

Malawi replaced Niger, which was disqualified from the Under-17 World Cup after it was found to have used overage players in the African championship. The Young Flames fell to the United Arab Emirates, 2-0, in their opening game but had their chances, hitting the woodwork twice.

Malawi had defenders Kondwani Lufeyo and Gastin Simkonda both sent off against UAE, so both players will be suspended for Thursday's game against the USA.

U.S. players look back and look ahead ...




U.S. Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: 21-Keith Cardona (New York Red Bulls), 1-Earl Edwards (Nomads SC), 12-Spencer Richey (Crossfire Premier),
DEFENDERS: 6-Zachary Herold (West Pines United FC), 4-Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic), 20-Boyd Okwuonu (Tulsa Thunder), 3-Tyler Polak (CSA Legacy), 2-Jared Watts (North Meck SC.), 15-Eriq Zavaleta (FC Pride)
MIDFIELDERS: 5-Marlon Duran (Latino Americana), 10-Luis Gil (Pateadores), 14-Carlos Martinez (Wilmington Jr.), 17-Will Packwood (Birmingham City, England), 11-Nick Palodichuk (Washington Premier FC), 8-Alex Shinsky (Super Nova FC)
FORWARDS: 16-Juan Agudelo (N.Y. Red Bulls Academy), 19-Victor Chavez (Real So Cal), 18-Andrew Craven (First Coast Kickers), 7-Stefan Jerome (West Pines United FC), 9-Jack McInerney (Cobb SC), 13-Dominick Sarle (BW Gottschee)

Malawi Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: 1-Cuthbert Seengwa (Kawale Secondary School), 16-Victor Nagnwale (Blackpool), 21-Jailos Kapalamula (Nchalo Utd.).
DEFENDERS: 2-Pilirani Zonda, 3-Kondwani Lufeyo (Tigers), 5-Robert Simkonda, 6-Peter Mselema (Ngowe Secondary School), 8-Bongani Kaipa, 13-Francis Mulimbika, 15-Takondwa Issah (Kamuzu Barracks).
MIDFIELDERS: 4-Patience Kalumo (Dedza Secondary School), 12-Gilbert Chirwa, 17-Mike Kaziputa (Blackpool), 18-Kelvin Hanganda, 19-Kingston Chindebvu, 20-Willie Saenda
FORWARDS: 7-Tonny Chitsulo (Silver Strikers), 9-Andrew Mpetiwa, 10-Bruno Milanzi (Eagle Strikers), 11-Maxwell Mwanyongo, 14-Gastin Simkonda