The United States Under-18 Men’s National Team recently returned home from a 10-day international trip to Lisbon, Portugal, where the team competed in the 19th Annual International Juniors Tournament. The U.S. played three matches in the tournament against the Czech Republic on May 21, Portugal on May 23, and Hungary on May 25.
New York Red Bulls forward Amando Moreno and Red Bulls Academy defender Matthew Miazga were both assigned by U-18 head coach Javier Perez to the 20-man roster for the Portugal tourney. Red Bulls ‘keeper Santiago Castano, who along with Moreno is a product of the Red Bulls Academy, was also called in for this cycle.
(May 21) United States U-18 Men’s National Team vs. Czech Republic U-18 Men’s National Team: United States 3, Czech Republic 0
In the first match of the Tournament, the U-18 Men’s National Team went up against the Czech Republic at the Estádio das Seixa. in Malveira, Portugal. Midfielder Romain Gall scored first for the U.S. in the 16th minute and then assisted on the team’s second goal in the 35th when he played a through ball to Rubio Rubin. In the 48th minute of the match, Gall tallied his second to make it 3-0 when Paul Arriola’s shot deflected right to Gall, who placed an easy shot into the open net.
Moreno and Miazga both started and each logged 90 minutes for the team in the match.
(May 23) United States U-18 Men’s National Team vs. Portugal U-18 Men’s National Team: United States 1, Portugal 1
The U-18 Men’s National Team earned another point in the 19th Annual International Juniors Tournament after a draw with hosts Portugal at the Parque Desportivo Eng. Ministro Santos in Mafra. Gall tallied his third goal of the Tournament in the 48th minute when he sniped one in off a free kick from 23 yards out. Two minutes later, Portugal tied the match with a curling shot that found the upper-right hand corner of the net.
Moreno was subbed out in the 83rd minute for Brian Iloski. Miazga played the full 90 minutes in the match.
(May 25) United States U-18 Men’s National Team vs. Hungary U-18 Men’s National Team:
United States 1, Hungary 2
The final match of the Lisbon International Tournament was held in Mafra at the Estadio Dr. Mario Silveira. The U.S. lost the match 2-1, but despite the outcome the team finished in second place at the tournament.
In game action, Hungary scored in the 10th minute when Szabolcs Varga’s shot beat U.S. ‘keeper Zack Steffan. Two minutes later Dominik Nagy extended Hungary’s lead to two when his shot was deflected and went in under Steffan.
In the 43rd minute of the match, Arriola cut the Hungary lead in half when he took a pass from Moreno, cut inside onto his right foot, and finished a shot inside the near post.
Moreno and Miazga both started and each played 90 minutes in the match. Moreno also added an assist on the U.S. goal.
Thanks to his solid all-around play, Rubin was named the Player of the Tournament.
