Alonso Hernandez and Benji Joya (pictured above) converted penalty kicks on either side of halftime and to help the United States Under-23 national team capture third place at the 2015 Toulon Tournament with a 2-1 win over England.
Hernandez got the US off to a fast start after Jerome Kiesewetter was tripped up from behind in the penalty area by England's Kortney Hause in the seventh minute. The 21-year-old forward, who plays his club soccer for Monterrey in Liga MX, slotted the spot kick into the lower right corner, sending the England 'keeper the wrong way.
The US lead wouldn't last long, though, as Hause made amends for his error. The defender was on hand to push the ball just over the line after the US were caught unaware on a quick free kick in the 10th minute, allowing England winger John Swift to run free down the left-hand side before cutting back for Hause.
The decisive play of the game with 14 minutes remaining in the second half. Kiesewetter's shot from outside the area deflected off England defender Baily Cargill before striking his arm, leading referee Fabio Verissimo to whistle for another spot kick, which Joya smashed home.
Though the US had what has perhaps a better penalty shout for handball a few minutes prior to their second spot kick, they also had to rely on a number of big saves from goalkeeper Cody Cropper in the second half to keep them from conceding a second goal.
The first came just a minute into the half as the former Southampton goalkeeper was forced to tip over a corner kick that looked headed for the far corner. In the 51st minute, Cropper again had to be alert as he sprawled to deny a well-taken volley from England's Lewis Baker.
Less than two minutes later, Kiesewetter had a golden chance to restore the USMNT's lead, but his heavy touch on the breakaway allowed England substitute 'keeper Jordan Pickford to sufficiently close down the angle on his shot and make the save.
Though a 54th-minute miscue on a floated header allowed Cargill an attempt that struck the post, Cropper saved his best sequence for the 71st and 72nd minutes. He first sprawled to his left to push away a snapshot from just inside the area, and then got down low to make a kick save on a close-range effort from England's Callum Robinson.
By claiming third place, the US U-23s matched their best finish in the prestigious, invitation-only youth tournament, which is held annually in the south of France.
