The U.S. Under-23 National Team made an impressive showing Aug. 5 in a 3-2 loss against Liverpool F.C.’s reserve team at the English club’s Melwood Training Ground in Liverpool. The loss was the first of the year for the team, dropping their 1998 record to 4-1-3. Liverpool’s reserves fielded a full-team, including half-a-dozen first-team players, two Norwegian internationals, German international Sean Dundee and England “B” international Dom Matteo, who had scored the game-winning goal for the Reds the night before in a 2-1 friendly victory over Inter Milan at Anfield. The USA was led by midfielder John O’Brien, currently on loan from Ajax to F.C. Utrecht in his fourth season in Holland. The 21-year-old from Playa del Rey, Calif., dazzled everyone in attendance with a world-class strike in the 9th minute, stealing a ball at midfield from Liverpool’s Danny Murphy and then sending a deft chip over goalkeeper Jurgen Nielsen from 35 yards. The lead was short lived for the U.S., who despite creating numerous scoring chances, allowed goals on 27 and 35 minutes to Dundee and Gareth Roberts, respectively. Dundee’s goal came on a redirected pass from the left wing from six yards out, while Roberts strike came after he dribbled the ball unchallenged through the middle of the U.S. midfield and unloaded a hard shot from 25 yards. Forward Scott Bower (Tampa, Fla. / Clemson Univ.) set-up midfielder Joey DiGiamarino (Corona, Calif. / Colorado Rapids) with a golden chance just seconds after Liverpool’s second goal, forcing their goalkeeper out of position on the end-line, then laying the ball back to the Rapids defender. DiGiamarino’s hurried shot at the empty net was cleared off the line by two converging Liverpool players. In the second half, the U.S. continued to play composed soccer, but fell behind by two goals in the 69th minute when Dundee serviced Norwegian international Oyvind Leonhardsen with a perfect through ball. Leonhardsen controlled just inside the box and chipped a soft shot past the diving Andy Kirk (Earlysville, Va. / San Jose Clash). Despite allowing three goals, Kirk was very strong in the nets, making seven saves, including a spectacular stretching save on a free kick by Liverpool’s Dave Thompson in the 68th minute. Second-half substitute Brian West (Laurel, Md. / Columbus Crew) made the final few moments interesting by scoring in the 85th minute. On the goal, West took a pass from forward Chris Brown (Portland, Ore. / Univ. of Portland), dribbled down the right wing, cut back behind a defender in the penalty area and then hit a clever shot between the goalkeeper and the near right post with a flick from the outside of his right foot. The Under-23 National Team, comprised of players eligible to represent the U.S. at the 2000 Olympic Games, is in the midst of a 16-day England tour, where they are training at the grounds of legendary English powerhouse Manchester United. The team opened the tour with a strong 1-0 victory over the Bolton Wanderers reserves on Aug. 1. The U.S. will play Manchester United’s reserves on Saturday (Aug. 8) and the first team of lower division Hyde United on Aug. 12. Aug. 5 in Liverpool, England USA 2 Liverpool 3. Goals: J. O’Brien 9, B. West 85; S. Dundee 27, Roberts 35, O. Leonhardsen 69. USA — Kirk, Whitfield, McCarty, Dunseth, Corrales, Winters, O’Brien, Vagenas, DiGiamarino, Bower (West, 46), Brown. Liverpool —Nielsen, N. Murphy, Bjornebye, Matteo (Partridge 46), Culshaw, Thompson, Leonhardsen, D. Murphy, Gudnason (Byrne 76), Dundee, Roberts. Att.: 150 (closed)