The US Under-23 national team couldn’t avenge the USMNT’s recent loss to Denmark, falling 1-0 at the Danish U-23 team in a friendly in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Five MLS players started for the U-23s, with Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil captaining the side, fellow RSL player Boyd Okwuonu slotting in at right back, Colorado Rapids defender Shane O’Neill starting at center back, San Jose Earthquakes rookie Fatai Alashe starting at holding midfielder and New York City FC forward Khiry Shelton starting up top.
The US had a nice chance early in the second half, with Birmingham City defender Will Packwood heading a Gil cross on frame to force the Denmark ‘keeper into a fine save.
Denmark took the lead moments later, with halftime substitute Andreas Cornelius shooting past US goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
Several MLS players came off the bench for the US after Denmark’s goal, with Philadelphia Union midfielder Zach Pfeffer, Vancouver Whitecaps defender Christian Dean and LA Galaxy defender Oscar Sorto all coming on in the second half.
The substitutes helped carve out several chances for the US, with Pfeffer feeding Shelton for a pair of late chances and Gil, LA Galaxy II forward Ariel Lassiter and Pfeffer combining for a good look in second half stoppage-time.
The match concludes head coach Andi Herzog's week-long U-23 camp, which saw the US beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-2 in a friendly last Thursday.
US U-23 lineup:
Charlie Horton (Tyler Miller 46); Boyd Okwuonu (Oscar Sorto 75), Will Packwood, Shane O’Neill, Juan Pablo Ocegueda (Christian Dean 59); Fatai Alashe, Benji Joya (Dan Metzger 75); Khiry Shelton, Luis Gil, Alonso Hernandez (Zach Pfeffer 59); Jerome Kiesewetter (Ariel Lassiter 75)
