U.S. SOCCER: U-20s fall to Mexico, 3-1, in Florida

The U.S. under-23 national team concluded its first camp of the year with a 3-1 loss to Mexico before a crowd of 5,236 at Harris Stadium in Homestead, Fla.

The Americans played the last 42 minutes with 10 men after the ejection of U.S. defender Heath Pearce.

The U.S. team will return to South Florida in mid-February to continue preparations for the World Youth Championship that is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates March 25-April 16.

MetroStars draftee Mike Magee, who had a shot cleared off the line in the first half, had the only goal for the United States, scoring off a cross from Wake Forest freshman Justin Moose.

The score could have been worse, but goalie Steve Cronin saved a penalty kick two minutes into stoppage time. Jan. 23 in Homestead, Fla.

U.S. SOCCER: USA-Mexico U-20 summary

USA 1 Mexico 3. Goals: Magee 73; Romo 14, J.C. Medina 67, Ortiz 79. USA — Cronin, Pearce, Cochrane, Marshall, Klaas (Moor, 46), Mapp, Clark, Magee, Barclay (Moose, 61), E.Johnson, Quaranta (Harvey, 87).

Mexico — Martinez, Jimenez, Pinto, Andrade (De Nigris, 85), De la Barrera, J.C. Medina, De la Cruz (Esquivel, 82), Ortiz (Rojas, 90), A.Medina (Costilla, 90), Romo (Torres, 79), Almaral (Santana, 51).

Red card: USA — Pearce 48.

Att.: 5,236.