[U.S. UNDER-17 NATIONAL TEAM] A new cycle of players for the U.S. under-17 national team played their first international game, falling to Portugal, 2-1, Friday at the Development Academy Winter Showcase in Phoenix.

The USA's second match of the 2009 Nike International Friendlies is on Saturday at 7 p.m. MT against Brazil (live on Fox Soccer Channel).

The young Portuguese were ahead 2-0 after only 17 minutes.

In the 35th minute, Irvin Gijon converted the spot kick to cut the Portugal lead in half.

Dec. 4 in Phoenix
USA 1 Portugal 2
Goals:
POR - Mane (Helder Costa) 5
POR - Guedes (Mane) 17
USA - Irvin Gijon (pen.) 37
USA -- Pina, Pelosi, Smith, Souders, Chang (Cristobal, 89) Oliver (Velasquez, 63), Gijon, Salkicic, Ayah (Gonzalez, 34), Koroma, Rodriguez (Ortega, 83)
Att.: 1,106