U.S. U-23s take second at Madeira tournament

The U.S. under-23 national team finished second at the sixth annual Madeira International Tournament in Funchal on the island of Madeira when it tied host Portugal, 1-1. The USA went undefeated (one win and two ties). “We put ourselves in position to win the game, and we had a very good chance with about five minutes to go, but [DaMarcus] Beasley put it wide,” said Myernick. “But to go down 1-nil about halfway through the first half, reorganize and fight very hard in the second half and pull a goal back. We had a chance to win it, but we just couldn’t do it. Overall, I feel very good about the tournament, because we played better soccer every game. We have an awful long way to go, but it’s a good start.” Down 1-0 at halftime on Miguelito’s goal and needing two goals to win the game and the tournament, the USA made two offensive substitutions that significantly picked up the effectiveness of the U.S. attack. Midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Bobby Convey replaced defender Chris Wingert and midfielder Philip Salyer, changing the team into a 3-4-3 formation. The USA got its goal they were looking for in the 70th minute, when Convey sent a bending cross from the left side that forward Alecko Eskandarian lunged to head past Portugal goalkeeper Jose Moreira, who plays for Benfica. The goal was Eskandarian’s second, making him the tournament’s top goalscorer. In the 84th minute, the U.S. had a golden opportunity to claim a comeback win. Barclay and Davis worked a series of passes at the top of the box that freed Beasley, but with just the keeper to beat, he spanked his shot wide left. PORTUGAL-USA SUMMARY Feb. 8 in Funchal Portugal 1 USA 1. Goals: Miguelito 25; Eskandarian 70. USA — Countess, Burciaga, Stokes (Yi, 89), Gray, Wingert (Convey, 46), Beckerman (Martino, 82), Salyer (Beasley, 46), Davis, Carroll, Eskandarian, Barclay. Portugal — Moriera, Santamaria, Bruno Alves, Kipulo, Pedro Luz, Bruno Aguiar, Mario Sergio, Osorio, Manuel Vieira (Joca, 67), Miguelito (Gisvi Antunes, 78), Pedro Oliviera. FINAL STANDINGS