The U.S. Men’s U-20 national team took third place at the 1998 Paolo Valenti tournament in Italy. Coach Sigi Schmid’s squad completed the competition with a 2-2-1 record. In the semifinals, the U.S. and Belgium played in cold and rainy conditions. Both sides had a player ejected (Axel Vergeyen of Belgium in the 78th minute and U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra in the 84th), but the match remained scoreless until Belgian midfielder Kevin Van Desel struck in the third minute of stoppage time for a 1-0 win. The Americans regrouped, however, and defeated Norway 2-0 in the third-place match. New England Revolution project-40 player Jamar Beasley scored the winning goal in the 56th minute off an assist from fellow project-40 member Nino DaSilva, who scored the second U.S. goal 20 minutes later. The third-place finish was in large part due to the stingy U.S. defense, which allowed just two goals in five matches. April 11 in Lavezzola USA 0 Belgium 1. Goal: Van Desel 90. USA — Howard, Morrison, Califf, Bocanegra, Downing, Cherundolo, Futagaki, Feller, Goldsmith (DaSilva, 46), Albright (Bardales, 71), Beasley. Belgium — Renard, Elsen, Lacandre, Case, Coomans, Vergeyen, Van Desel, Buvens, Roels, Qualta, Delorge. Att.: n/a. April 13 in Lavezzola USA 2 Norway 0. Goals: Beasley (DaSilva) 56, DaSilva (Tennyson) 76. USA — Rimando, Cherundolo, Califf, Goldsmith (Morrison, 66), Pierce, Feller, Downing, Futagaki, DaSilva (Cardenas, 78), Beasley, Albright (Tennyson, 46). Norway — Olsen, Granas, Ramsci (Monsen, 75), Loenning, Valencia, Bjrice, (Bye, 75), Hager, Bransen, Davanger (Edvaldsen, 67), Sundet, George. Att.: n/a.