After a less than impressive showing in its opening win against North Korea Saturday, the USA put it all together in a 3-1 win over Italy that moved it into the quarterfinals of the Under-17 World Championship in Peru. A terrible blunder by U.S. keeper Bryant Rueckner – his second in two games – gifted the nervous Italians a goal and was the only reason the result was in doubt until Ryan SorokaÆs 90th-minute insurance goal. The insertion of Nik Besagno, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, in the middle of the defense steadied the backline. David Arvizu did everything but score. He created a half a dozen chances and inexplicably had a goal called off early in the second half. Preston Zimmerman was again a tour of strength up front, and Kyle Nakazawa punctuated the U.S. performance with a beautiful goal on a free kick from 25 yards.
Sept. 20 in Chiclayo
USA 3 ITALY 1
REPORT CARD
(1=low; 5=average; 10=high)
Starters:
G-Bryant Rueckner 3
RB-Kevin Alston 6
CB Ofori Sarkodie 6
CB Nik Besagno 7
LB-Blake Wagner 5
RM-Quavas Kirk 5
CM-Michael Farfan 6
CM-Kyle Nakazawa 7
LM-Ryan Soroka 6
F-Preston Zimmerman 7
F-David Arvizu 8
Substitutes:
Amaechi Igwe 5
Josmer Altidore 5
Neven Subotic NR
Sept. 17 in Chiclayo
USA 3 NORTH KOREA 2
REPORT CARD
(1=low; 5=average; 10=high)
Starters:
G-Bryant Rueckner 4
RB-Kevin Alston 4
CB Ofori Sarkodie 4
CB-Blake Wagner 4
LB-Amaechi Igwe 5
RM-Quavas Kirk 5
CM-Michael Farfan 4
CM-Kyle Nakazawa 6
LM-Ryan Soroka 5
F-Preston Zimmerman 6
F-David Arvizu 4
Substitutes:
Nik Besagno 4
Jeremy Hall 4
Neven Subotic NR