[TORNEO DELLE NAZIONI] For the second time in two days, the U.S. under-15 boys national team came up against older competition at Torneo delle Nazioni, falling 2-1to Mexico’s U-16s a day after it lost to host Slovenia’s U-16s, 4-0. Against Mexico, the USA faced goalkeeper Romero Abraham — who attended the U.S. U-17Residency Program last fall.

The U.S. goal came when center back Kyle Gruno lofted a long ball over the Mexico back line for striker Lucas Del Rosario, who chipped it over Mexico goalkeeper Romero Abraham — who attended the U.S. U-17 Residency Program lastfall but was behind Kevin Silva and Will Pulisic on the depth chart for the highly rated U.S. U-16s. Abraham returned tohis home in Altadena, Calif., and rejoined the LA Galaxy academy program.

April 26 in Savogna d’Isonzo, Italy
USA 1 Mexico 2. Goals: Esquivel 3, Lara 40; Del Rosario 40.
USA — Lopez; Uribe, Gruno, Eves, Alfaro, Torres, Trujillo (Raygoza, 51),Gonzalez (Aguilera, 22), Carranza; Marin, Del Rosario.

April 25 in Bilje, Slovenia
Slovenia 4 USA 0.Goals: Elsnik 10, Mlakar 35, Petrovic 55, Zizek 58.
USA — Avilez; Kash (Raygoza, 46), Gruno, Eves (Uribe, 38), Alfaro, Torres, Trujillo (Wright,44), Gonzalez, Carranza;  Marquez (Marin, 30), Del Rosario.

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2 Comments

  1. Pull the data base back out and give those kids a look that you looked at one ortwo years ago in the MTC/NTC’S who got that far for a reason but just werent grown yet mentally or physically. You may be surprised. No ego’s need to be bruised but just face the facts. While these boys are great great soccer players… to assume they are the best in our huge country with a 99 pool that is probably the most advanced yet… It could be prudent.

  2. The only way to know is to try. For the cost of one overseas tourney they could probably have two ID camps.

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