The U.S. World University Games team opened group play in Sicily with a 4-0 win over Nigeria and a 2-2 tie with the Czech Republic. University of Virginia midfielder Ben Olsen scored a pair of first-half goals from assists by South Carolina’s Josh Wolff in the U.S. opener against Nigeria on Aug. 18, which was played before a crowd of over 2,000 in Palermo. Creighton’s Johnny Torres, who is originally from Colombia but received his American citizenship in December, scored twice in the second half to secure the victory. South Carolina striker Clint Mathis gave the U.S. an early 1-0 lead against the Czech Republic on Aug. 20 when he scored in the 12th minute of an assist from Wolff. The Czechs evened the score on a 15th minute penalty and took the lead on a second penalty in the 52nd. Mathis equalized for the U.S. 17 minutes later, when he dribbled up the middle of the field for 30 yards before beating the Czech keeper. “It feels great to score a goal,” said Mathis. “But it’s all done with your teammates out there. It doesn’t matter who scores.” The U.S. (1-0-1) will face group leader China (2-0) on Aug. 22 without Portland’s Andrew Gregor, who was sent off in the 74th minute of the Czech Republic match. “We can still win the group with a win over China,” said U.S. coach John Ellinger. “And that’s how we are approaching this next game.” U-17s win final tuneup for World Championships The U.S. U-17 national team beat Costa Rica 2-1 in Chula Vista, Calif. on Aug. 17 in its final international before departing for the World U-17 Championship in Egypt. The U.S. scored both goals in the second half. Defender Beckett Hollenbach headed in a free kick from Gus Kartes in the 68th minute, and Taylor Twellman hit the gamewinner three minutes later when he volleyed home another free kick, this one from Nick Downing. The U-17s will leave for Egypt on Aug. 31. They will face Oman (Sept. 6), Brazil (Sept. 8) and Austria (Sept. 11) in the first round.