The United States Under-17s failed to lock up a berth in the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to Jamaica at Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula, Honduras to fall out of first place in Group A at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
The US (3-1-1, 10 points), coached by Richie Williams, will finish in second or third place in Group A, with their final position determined by the result of Wednesday’s Honduras-Guatemala match. The young Yanks will play in a one-game playoff on Sunday against one of the other second- or third-place sides at the tournament, with the winner advancing to this fall’s U-17 World Cup in Chile.
The US dominated the first half on Wednesday but could not get on the scoreboard, squandering a number of chances to head into the break knotted at 0-0.
Jamaica came out swinging in the second, registering a pair of chances in the early going before earning a penalty kick in the 55th minute when US captain and LA Galaxy Academy defender Hugo Arrellano was called for a controversial handball in the box. Forward Nicholas Nelson buried the ensuing spot kick, rolling his shot to the right and sending US goalkeeper Will Pulisic the wrong way to give Jamaica the lead.
The US pushed for an equalizer after Nelson’s goal but could not create much against Jamaica’s resolute defense. The Americans had a penalty shout of their own when a Jamaican defender appeared to handle a ball in the box in the 75th minute, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
The winner of each group will automatically qualify for the U-17 World Cup and advance to Sunday’s CONCACAF U-17 final. Jamaica currently stand in first place in Group A, though Honduras would pass them with a win over Guatemala. Mexico are in the lead in Group B, which will wrap up with three matches on Thursday.
US Lineup: Will Pulisic (Richmond United); Matthew Olosunde (New York Red Bulls), Alexis Velela (San Diego Surf) (Brandon Vasquez (Club Tijuana), 76’), Hugo Arellano (C) (LA Galaxy), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls); Eric Calvillo (Real So Cal), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC), Alejandro Zendejas (FC Dallas); Joshua Perez (Unattached) (McKinze Gaines (Lonestar SC), 72’), Haji Wright (Unattached) (Joe Gallardo (Monterrey), 69’)
