Junior Flores came through as the hero for the United States U-17 team as they topped Turkey 2-1 on Friday to stay undefeated through two matches in the 2011 Nike International Friendlies in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
The midfielder delivered an assist in the 19th minute of the first half to defender Tyler Turner, but his biggest contribution of the match came with two minutes left in regulation, when he pounced on a headed pass from Red Bulls Academy player Wesley Wade at the edge of the six-yard box to beat Turkey ‘keeper Mehmet Goktug Bakirbas for the win.
Unfortunately for Flores, his celebration was short-lived, as the Virginia native had to leave the pitch in the 90th minute after falling victim to an injury.
Turkey, who went down a man in the 40th minute due to a red card, put up a fight and had equalized the affair via Mustafa Batuhan Altintas in the 47th minute but couldn’t hold on to walk away with a draw.
The victory put the US at the top of the standings, where they are tied with Brazil with four points each. France follow in third place with two points and Turkey sit in fourth place with zero points.
The United States and Brazil will decide the champion of the six-game round-robin tournament when they meet on Sunday at 5 pm ET. The match will be televised live on FOX Soccer.
Summary: 1 2 F
USA – Tyler Turner (Junior Flores), 19
TUR – Mustafa Batuhan Altintas, 47
USA – Junior Flores (Wesley Wade), 88
Misconduct Summary:
TUR – Selim Shahin (sent off), 40th minute
TUR - Mert Ozturk (caution), 48
USA - Shaquell Moore (caution), 74
Lineups:
United States – 18-Evan Louro; 4-Shaquell Moore, 2-Conor Donovan, 6-Tyler Turner, 3- John Requejo, Jr.; 7-Rubio Rubin (9-Wesley Wade, 55), 14-Steven Echevarria, 10-Junior Flores (20-Christopher Lema, 90), 15-Jorge Calix (8-Angel Heredia, 54); 13-Corey Baird, 19-Danya Kafai (11-DeAndre Robinson, 61)
Subs Not Used: 1-Paul Christensen, 5-Guy Kabala, 12- Adonis Amaya, 16-Kevin Politz, 17-Dembakwi Yomba
Head coach: Wilmer Cabrera
Turkey – 12-Mehmet Goktug Bakirbas; 7-Anil Capkin, 14-Melih Can Yagci (capt.), 4-Mehdi Akgul, 15-Mahmuthan Samet Acar (3-Umut Can Ince, 36); 6-Serdar Bingol; 17-Ismail Kose (20-Aziz Ceylan, 82), 8-Mert Ozturk (2-Cahit Enis Katipogl, 66), 18-Yusuf Selim Sahin, 11-Berk Yildiz; 9-Mustafa Batuhan Altintas
Subs Not Used: 1-Anil Demir, 5-Alim Harlak, 10-Semih Islemecioglu,13-Safa Altuntas, 16-Muhammet Rasit Sahingoz, 19-Ramazan Civele
Head coach: Mehmet Hacioglu
Officials:
Referee: Allen Chapman (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Rob Hufman (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Rahm Rodriguez (USA)
Fourth Official: Terry Vaughn (USA)
Attendance: 1,859
Weather: 68 degrees, cool
