The US U-16 national team captured the 2019 International Friendlies title Monday, thanks to a little help from the U-17 side.
The U-16 team rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Turkey with FC Dallas Homegrown Dante Sealy scoring a brace.
Following the thrilling win, the U-16s cheered on the U-17 side against the Netherlands in the second game of the doubleheader. The Dutch, which had a superior goal differential, could have captured the title with a win.
But the U-17s drew the Netherlands, 2-2, thanks to a goal and assist from Philadelphia Union Homegrown midfielder Jack de Vries.
De Vries, who was signed last summer for the 2020 season, capitalized on a failed Dutch clearance to open the scoring in the 48th minute.
He then turned playmaker, threading a pass through four Dutch players to Noah Jones. The RB Leipzig U-19 forward found room in the box and lifted a left-footed, 12-yard shot into the net to double the advantage six minutes later.
The Dutch roared back, cutting the deficit in half in the 64th minute on a brilliant solo effort by Dillon Hoogewerf, who also set up Yusuf Barasi’s 90th-minute equalizer.
Needing a win for the title, the Netherlands pressed for the decisive goal, but FC Dallas academy goalkeeper Seth Wilson denied Hoogewerf with a kick save in the second minute of stoppage time.
