The U.S. boys’ U-17 national team made U.S. Soccer history Feb. 4 when they ended an 86-year winless streak against Argentina in Buenos Aires, defeating Argentina’s U-17 team, 4-3. No U.S. national team (men’s or women’s) had ever beaten Argentina in Buenos Aires. “It is moments like this that you will never forget. It’s not everyday you walk into Argentina’s back yard and beat them at their passion,” said U.S. U-17 coach John Ellinger. “This is a very special moment and by far the biggest win of my coaching career. I am very proud of this team.” Argentina would have taken an early lead in the first minute had it not been for a tremendous save by Delvin Countess (Sacramento, Calif.) who deflected a breakaway shot by Argentinian forward Sergio Marclay. Eight minutes later the U.S. team suffered a blow as central defender Alexander Yi (Easton, Md.) had to leave the match after injuring his right knee and was replaced by Oguchi Onyewu (Olney, Md.). Argentina struck first in the 17th minute when Marclay received a ball from midfield and lofted a 22-yard shot that beat U.S. goalkeeper Countess. Moments later, with defender Nelson Akwari (Houston, Texas) off the field being taped after twisting an ankle, U.S. defender Seth Trembly cleared a ball of the goal line preserving a one goal U.S. deficit. Still down a man, USA’s Bryan Jackson (La Canada, Calif.) threaded a ball through the Argentinian defense to the feet of a streaking Landon Donovan (Redlands, Calif.) who then beat two defenders and slotted the ball into the back of the net, evening the score at 1-1. The USA then conceded two goals before the half. Argentina forward Emanuel Centurion headed a cross that hit the crossbar and bounced in at the 34 minute mark. His goal was followed by another header by teammate Lisandro Sacripanti six minutes later. The forward re-directed the ball off a cross that Countess, at full stretch, could only get a hand on. Thus, the U.S. trailed 3-1 at the intermission, and faced a second half without starting defenders Yi and Akwari. “I told the boys at halftime not to give up and to do what it takes to get back into this game,” Ellinger said. “I saw the determination in the eyes of every player and knew that the second half would be our half.” Indeed this was the case as the Americans took control of the game and used their speed on the flanks to initiate attacks, scoring three goals. The first strike came in the 54th mintue when substitute Adlofo Gregorio (Hilmar, Calif.) twisted and turned two Argentinian defenders before striking a low driven ball across the goal mouth. At full stride, a near-post running Donovan one touched the ball past the goalkeeper cutting the U.S. deficit to one goal. “I knew I could beat my defender,” said Gregorio. “I looked up and saw Donovan running to the near post. I knew if I could get him the ball he would put it in the net and he did.” Two minutes later Gregorio again sliced his way through two defenders and whipped a ball across to an awaiting Jordon Cila (Jericho, N.Y.) who hit a right-footed one-time shot that found nothing but net. The winning goal came in the 66th minute when a cross from Bobby Convey (Philadelphia, Pa.) on the left side found Kyle Beckerman at the top the six yard box. Beckerman headed the ball into the upper-right corner giving the U.S. the lead and victory. The U.S. played the match without midfielder DeMarcus Beasley (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) who suffered a deep calf contusion in the USA’s 3-2 win over Boca Jrs. youth team Feb. 1. Beasley is expected to return to training with the team next week in Bradenton, Fla. The U-17s have three scheduled practice games before leaving for CONCACAF qualifying in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The team will play on Feb. 11 against South Florida in Bradenton, Fla., Feb. 13 against a yet-to-be determined opponent in Orlando, and Feb. 18 against the Tampa Bay Mutiny in Tampa. Coach Ellinger is expected to release his 18-man roster a week prior to leaving for Jamaica. Feb. 4 in Buenos Aires Argentina U-17s 3 USA U-17s 4. Goals: Marclay 17, Centurion 31, Sacripanti 40; Donovan 29, 54, Cila 56, Beckerman 66. Argentina — Lux, Spinelli, March, Perzan (Fondato, n/a), Medina, Marra, Marclay, Ahumada, Sacripanti, Centurion, Ponzio. USA — Countess, Akwari (Kalso, 46), Yi (Onyewu, 9), Trembly, Martin, Jackson (Gregorio, 45, Rivera 59), Cutler, Beckerman, Convey (Bolin, 83), Cila, Donovan. Lineups: Att.: n/a.