USA under-17 national team forward Joshua Sargent (white jersey) tries to elude a Brazil defender in their Nike International Friendlies match on December, 4, 2016, in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. (Photo: John Dorton/isiphotos.com)
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Florida -- The United States under-17 national team (3W-0D-0L, 9 points) earned a first-place finish in the 2016 Nike International Friendlies after a 3-0 win over Brazil (1-1-1, 4) on Sunday night in front of 4,072 at Premier Sports Campus Stadium Field.
It marked the Americans’ third Nike International Friendlies title since 2010 and first since 2013.
Ayomide Akinola, Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah led the way with a goal apiece, while goalkeeper Justin Garces kept a clean sheet.
The U.S. broke through in the 43rd minute, when Akinola chased down a ball over the top and forced Matheus Stockl into a turnover, before sliding his effort past the onrushing goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao.
Six minutes after the break, Sargent doubled the advantage, receiving a clever through ball in the right side of the box and finishing inside the left post beyond substitute goalkeeper Arthur Gazze.
Weah completed the scoreline in stoppage time off a Bryan Reynolds assist.
"The players are technical enough now that we can play against the best teams in the world and in some cases, not only compete with them on a technical and tactical side, but be successful like we were this week,” said U.S. head coach John Hackworth. “I don't like to put results and development together as one, but it is an important part of the process that you learn how to be successful, in these games and tournaments.”
Portugal (1-1-1, 4) captured third place and Turkey (0-0-3, 0) ended up in last.
NOTES: Ayomide Akinola and Joshua Sargent were the USA's joint-top scorers with four goals each.
