LIGANO, Italy (May 2, 2019)—The U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team topped England in dramatic fashion at the Torneo delle Nazioni in Gradisca, Italy. After trailing 1-0 for most of the game, midfielder Kenan Hot netted an equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time, sending the game to a penalty kick shootout, where the USA defeated the Three Lions 4-2.
The USA advances to face Norway in its final placement match on Saturday, May 4 at 5:30 a.m. ET.
Drawn against England in a consolation bracket for third-placed teams, the USA fell behind in the 19th minute on a goal from Divin Mubama. England maintained its lead for nearly all of regulation, but the USA finally broke through in second-half stoppage time. The U.S. won a free kick about 40 yards from goal and Angel Martinez sent a long ball into the box. It deflected off the head of an England defender and fell to Hot, who hit it home from six yards out.
The goal sent the match straight to penalties. While the U.S. U-16 BNT faced heartbreak in penalties at this tournament last year- falling 6-5 to Slovenia in the semifinals- the red, white and blue emerged on top in its shootout this year.
The 19-player roster for the Torneo delle Nazioni is made up of 18 players born in 2004 and one player born in 2005. All fourteen U.S.-based players currently compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Two players are already signed to professional contracts, while one has already made his pro debut.
U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team Match Report
Match: U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team vs. England
Date: May 2, 2019
Competition: Torneo delle Nazioni
Venue: Stadio Teghil; Lignano, Italy
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. CET/10:00 a.m. ET
Weather: Mid 60s, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F PK’s
USA 0 1 1 4
ENG 1 0 1 2
ENG Divin Mubama 19th minute
USA Kenan Hot (Angel Martinez) 72
Lineups:
USA: 12-Damian Alguera, 6-Brandan Craig (2-Devan Tanton, 53), 23-Hans Leza (5-Antonio Leone, 53), 4-Angel Martinez, 3-John Carlos Cortez, 8-Aethan Yohannes (15-Allan Rodriguez, 43), 13-Kenan Hot, 21-Nicolas Perez (24-Evan Rotundo, 43), 11-Luca Koleosho (17-Osvaldo Cisneros, 43), 7-Cesar Cordova (10-Leonardo Torres, 53), 20-Federico Oliva (9-Austin Brummett, 58)
Subs not used: 1-Gabriel Slonina
Head Coach: Steve Klein
ENG: 13-James Beadle, 2-Brandon Bryan-Waugh, 15-James Clarridge, 6-Stefan Parkes, 12-Luke Chambers (3-Jordan Hackett, 54), 16-Isaac Mabaya, 17-Benjamin Chrisene, 14-Morten Spencer (11-Silko Thomas, 47), 7-Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (10-Omari Forson, 58), 18-Antwoine Hackford, 19-Divin Mubama (9-Jude Soonsup-Bell, 47)
Subs not used: 1-Joseph Whitworth, 4-Charlie Weston, 5-Jadel Katongo, 8-Joshua Ireland, 20-Lewis Hall
Head Coach: Justin Cochrane
Stats Summary: USA / ENG
Shots: 2 / 9
Shots on Goal: 2 / 8
Saves: 7 / 1
Corner Kicks: 3 / 7
Fouls: 8 / 8
Offside: 4 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Cesar Cordova (caution) 23rd minute