The U.S. U-20 men’s national team fell 2-1 to Ireland in its second match at the World Youth Championship in Malaysia. The Americans are now tied with Ireland for second place in Group C with three points apiece. Ghana, the Americans’ final opponent, is atop the group with four points. The top two teams in each group advance to the second round, along with the four best third-place teams. Ireland, well-organized and patient, scored both goals off of set plays. In the 7th minute, Michael Cummins headed home a corner from Alan Kirby to put the Irish up 1-0. Nineteen minutes later, Thomas Morgan’s free kick from 22 yards out dropped low at the far post for Trevor Molloy, who knocked the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead. The Americans fought back and were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute when Josh Wolff was pulled down in the box. Jorge Flores of MLS’s Dallas Burn converted the penalty to pull the U.S. within a goal. The U.S. turned up the pressure in the second half, but the Irish defense thwarted them time and time again. John O’Brien and Chad McCarty saw shots fly just wide of the Irish goal. “The Irish had a solid game plan,” said U.S. coach Jay Hoffman. “They were very organized and constantly got numbers behind the ball. They made it very tough on us. In the second half, we dominated the possession, but, again the Irish were very organized.” The U.S. needs a result against Ghana in its final match to assure itself of a place in the second round. The two teams will square off on June 22, again in Alor Setar. Notes: Carlos Parra started in defense for the U.S. in place of Brian Dunseth, who was recovering from the flu and 103 degree temperature…. Esmundo Rodriguez, suspended for the match against China because of a red card he had received during CONCACAF qualifying in 1996, saw his first action of the tournament. June 19 in Alor Setar USA 1 Ireland 2. Goals: Flores (pen.) 40; Cummins 7, Molloy 26. USA — Kirk, Chulis, McCarty, Parra, Corrales, Olsen (Rodriguez, 46), Flores, O’Brien (West, 75), DiGiamarino, Petroski (Victorine, 37), Wolff. Ireland — Whelan, Cummins, Worrall, Hawkins, Ryan, Morgan, Burns (Baker, 87), Kirby, Duff, Molloy (Crowe, 57), Fenn (Murphy, 72). Yellow cards: USA — Parra 52; Ireland — Whelan 29, Ryan 58. Referee: Acosta (Colombia). Att.: 7,000. also in Alor Setar: Ghana 1 China 1.
Group C Standings
| TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| Ghana | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Ireland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| USA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| China | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |