[U.S. UNDER-18 MEN] The USA opened the defense of its Milk Cup title with a 2-0 win over Israel thanks to goals by the Vancouver Whitecaps rookie Omar Salgado and German-based Jerome Kiesewetter.

Salgado scored just minutes into the second half, while Kiesewetter added an insurance in the second minute of added time.

Jose Villarreal, a late call-up to the U-18s after a standout performance for the Pateadores at the Development Academy Finals Week, set up Salgado, while Real Salt Lake's Luis Gil had the assist on Kiesewetter's goal.

Next up for Mike Matkovich's U-18s: Mexico Wednesday at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Mexico fell to Georgia, 2-1, on Monday, while Northern Ireland and Denmark played to a 1-1 tie.

July 25 in Ballymena
USA 2 Israel 0. Goal: Salgado 53, Kiesewetter 90.
USA -- Cropper, Okwuonu (Robinson, 46), Zimmerman, Gallego, Ocegueda, McCrary, Villarreal (Gil, 69), Packwood, Kiesewetter (Torre, 90+3), Salgado (Pineda, 84), Ambrose (Salandy-Defour, 46).