Men’s U-17 Nigeria Oct-Nov 2009

The US Men’s U-17 National team had a fair performance in the Nigerian World Cup making it past the first round with matches against Spain (their only loss), United Emirates (W:1-0), and Malawi (W:1-0).  PA native, Alex Shinsky saw the back of the net in their second match against Malawi when he volleyed it between the goalie’s legs.  Their final match against UAE in the initial rounds came from Jack McInerney who chipped an easy deflection over the goalie, his second of the tournament.But it was in the round of 16 where they met group F winners, Italy, who knocked them out of the tournament with a 2-1 (0-1) loss.  Italy went on to lose in the next match to the cup winners, Switzerland.  It was Switzerland’s first WC win and they accomplished it against reigning champs, Nigeria who played an impressive tournament despite their 1-0 loss in the finals.