The U.S. Under-20 men's national team got off to a great start at the CONCACAF Final Round Qualifying Tournament Wednesday, turning in a sparkling performance in a 4-1 win against Haiti at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama.
Andre Akpan scored twice, and the United States also got a goal from Anthony Wallace and an own goal from Haitian goalkeeper Peterson Occenat for a confidence-boosting victory in the first of three games at the tournament. The Red, White and Blue will next face Guatemala on Friday. The top two teams in each of two qualifying groups will advance to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada this summer.
U.S. coach Thomas Rongen left a lot of talent on the bench for the start of the match, with New York Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore and Bolton Wanderers striker Johann Smith both left out of the starting lineup against a weak Haitian side.
Still, the United States outplayed Haiti by a wide margin, playing stout defense at one end and showing a bit of flair at the other. It was an unassuming lofted ball, though, that put the Stars and Stripes on top.
FC Dallas draftee Wallace floated a 25th-minute service into the box from the left flank. Akpan broke free of his marker, and Haitian 'keeper Occenat didn't come out to challenge, allowing the U.S. striker to flick the ball into the net with the slightest touch off the back of his head.
The U.S. struck again in the 39th minute off a Danny Szetela corner kick. The Columbus Crew midfielder lifted the ball to the far side of the six-yard box, and Akpan attempted to slot home from there, but the ball bounced off the post and across the goalmouth. Occenat, in attempting to smother the ball, knocked it into his own net.
Wallace got on the board himself just three minutes into the second half. Crew defender Tim Ward gave Robbie Rogers the ball on the left, and the Dutch-based forward sent a ball along the floor to the top of the six, where Wallace tapped home.
It was Akpan again in the 61st minute as the U.S. made the score 4-0. Rogers sent a cross to the far side of the six, where Akpan side-footed the ball back across the goalmouth, off the post and in.
Haiti finally got on the board in the 74th minute. Los Angeles Galaxy defender Quavas Kirk pulled Haiti's Sony Norde down by the shirt in the box, giving the Haitians a penalty kick and earning Kirk a yellow card. Etienne Yveson converted the spot kick, squeezing the ball under U.S. 'keeper and Real Salt Lake draftee Chris Seitz.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
