The US Under-20s got off to a rough start at the Stevan Vilotic Tournament in Serbia on Thursday, falling 3-1 to the hosts in their opener.
Two MLS players started for the U-20s, with Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown and Columbus Crew SC attacker Ben Swanson beginning the match for Tab Ramos’ side. The US went into the half down 1-0, falling behind 2-0 in the 67th minute. The Americans pulled one back in the 70th, when midfielder Kyle Scott drew and converted a penalty kick. That’d be it for the comeback, however, with Serbia scoring a late goal to notch a 3-1 win.
Seattle Sounders Homegrown signing Victor Mansaray also featured for the US, coming on at halftime and playing the second half. Several MLS academy players saw action as well, with New York Red Bulls’ academy defender Kyle Duncan, LA Galaxy youth defender Christian Onalfo, Sounders youngster Nicholas Hinds and Chicago Fire academy players Mauricio Pineda and Cameron Lindley all seeing time. The U-20s will return to action on Saturday against France.
The US Under-17s were also in action on Thursday, getting a late goal from Joe Gallardo to draw Australia 1-1 in a friendly ahead of next month’s U-17 World Cup in Chile. The U-17s will play France on Friday.
