A 5-3 loss to France on Sunday — on the heels of their 1-0 loss to Japan Friday — knocks the U.S. U-17s out of contention to advance to the second round of the 2001 U-17 World Cup. ôI thought that we lost to a team that was better than us on this night,ö said U.S. coach John Ellinger about the French. ôWe knew coming in that we were placed in the most difficult group and that we would have three games against three of the best teams in the world. Now we just need to play a little better and finish the tournament on a high note on Wednesday [against Nigeria].ö As it did in FridayÆs loss to Japan, the U.S. fell behind early, allowing Sinama Pongolle to put the French on the board with a well-crafted goal in the fourth minute. Mike Magee equalized with the USAÆs first goal of the tournament in the 19th minute. Magee controlled a deflected Santino Quaranta cross, and spun and unleashed a left-footed volley that hit the hand of French captain Jacques Faty and continued into the net. The USA grabbed its first lead of the tournament in the 28th minute on an own goal. Ed JohnsonÆs cross from the right side deflected off of Julio Colombo and left French goalkeeper Florent Chaigneau with no chance. France pulled a goal back three minutes later to enter halftime deadlocked 2-2. The French struck quick on the other side of halftime as Mourad MeghniÆs free kick from 23 yards out slipped through Adam SchuermanÆs hands on the goal line. With rain coming down, Schuerman dived to his right and appeared to save MeghniÆs shot, but the ball found its way into the net. A pair of beautifully taken Sinama Pongolle goals in the 60th and 65th minutes finalized the France scoreline. The U.S. battled back and Ed Johnson scored in the 75th minute. Ed Johnson controlled a long ball from Paul Johnson, fought off Faty, sidestepped another French defender and slotted the ball past Chaigneau from 20 yards out. The goal was JohnsonÆs 23rd international goal in 24 matches. Johnson, Quaranta and Chefik Simo all produced chances in the final 10 minutes, but were unable to put another past Chaigneau, who made six saves in the match. Nigeria cruised past Japan, 4-0, in the first Group B match of the evening to put the Super Eaglets alone at the top of Group B with six points. In Sundayés Group A matches, Brazil topped Croatia, 3-1, in a battle of first-day winners, while Australia handed the host Trinidad & Tobago team a 1-0 loss. Australia and Croatia meet on Sept. 19, and a win or a draw will put Australia through to the quarterfinals, along with Brazil (six points). Sept. 16 in Bacolet, Tobago USA 3 France 5 Scoring Summary: FRA — Florent Sinama Pongolle 4th minute. USA — Mike Magee (Santino Quaranta) 19. USA — Own goal (Julio Colombo) 28. FRA — Samuel Pietre 32. FRA — Mourad Meghni 49. FRA — Florent Sinama Pongolle (Samuel Pietre) 61. FRA — Florent Sinama Pongolle (Anthony Le Tallec ) 65. USA — Ed Johnson (Paul Johnson) 76. Lineups: USA – Adam Schuerman; Jordan Harvey (capt.), Gray Griffin, Chad Marshall, David Chun (Paul Johnson, 65); 15-Jordan Stone, Craig Capano, Mike Magee (Chris Lancos, 71); Justin Mapp (11-Chefik Simo, 46), Ed Johnson, Santino Quaranta. FRANCE – Florent Chaigneau; Jeremie Berthod (Kevin Debiris, 46), Julio Colombo, Jacques Faty (capt.), Gael Maia (Stephen Drouin, 72), Hassan Yebda, Mourad Meghni, Samuel Pietre, Luigi Glombard (Emmers Fae, 46); Anthony Le Tallec, Florent Sinama Pongolle. Statistical Summary: USA-FRA Shots 12-15 Saves 6-6 Corner Kick 4-4 Fouls 10-10 Offside 1-2 Misconduct Summary: FRA — Hassan Yebda (caution) 35th minute. Referee: Eun Ju Im (KOR) Assistant Referees: Jackeline Saez Blanquice (PAN) Ana Isabel Perez Assante (PER). Fourth Official: Daniel Orlando Gimenez (ARG) Weather: 77 degrees; humid, intermittent rain Attendance: 7,000