Real Salt Lake midfielder Freddy Adu bagged a hat trick as the United States rebounded from a disappointing opening-game draw by pounding Poland 6-1 on Tuesday at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Montreal.
In addition to Adu's feat, the U.S. got two goals from Columbus Crew midfielder Danny Szetela and one from New York Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore. Crew winger Robbie Rogers was a terror on the left, providing two assists.
The U.S. were dominated by South Korea in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, and when Poland forward Dawid Janczyk opened the scoring by chasing down a long ball behind the U.S. defense in the sixth minute, it seemed like Monday's match at Olympic Stadium might be more of the same.
But just four minutes later, Szetela literally snapped the U.S. awake, powering home a 15-yard header from an inch-perfect cross Tony Beltran had whipped in from the right. The effort skimmed the underside of the crossbar, leaving Polish 'keeper Bartosz Bialkowski no chance.
Adu gave the U.S. a lead they wouldn't relinquish in the 20th minute, taking a ball forward from Sal Zizzo, then twisting around a Polish defender and ripping a left-footed shot while falling down. The ball was just out of Bialkowski's reach and caromed off the far post and in.
Adu made it two for himself and three for his team in first-half stoppage time, though Zizzo should be given most of the credit. The UCLA midfielder charged down the wing, beating a horde of Polish defenders as he raced to the edge of the area before dropping a diagonal pass back for Adu, who was all alone at the top of the box. Adu had plenty of time to settle the ball and deliver a perfect strike to the upper 90.
In the second half, the U.S. took advantage of a seemingly tired Polish defense, using the long ball and their speed to beat the Poles over the top.
Seven minutes after the break, FC Dallas defender Anthony Wallace split the defense with a ball delivered from inside his own half, and Szetela sped into the gap and delivered a first-time strike inside the post to Bialkowski's right.
Rogers got his first assist of the game on Altidore's strike in the 70th minute, taking a through ball from Adu and beating his man to the endline before playing the ball across the face of goal, where the Red Bulls frontrunner jabbed it home.
Adu completed his hat trick and the rout just four minutes from full time. Rogers sent a ball forward, and Adu ran onto it and rounded the 'keeper, and though a heavy touch took him almost to the end line, he still managed to slot home.
The U.S. now has four points from two games in Group D. They finish group play Friday against Brazil in Ottawa.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
