USA Soccer U-17s beat Canada twice

John Hackworth and his under-17 national team squad took on Canada in two matches at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and came away with two 3-1 victories. The roster was comprised of players from the Residency program in Bradenton.

George Acosta and Christopher Goslin opened the first match with goals in the 23rd and 49th minute respectively. The U.S. had the opportunity to extend the lead in the 56th minute, but Ayo Akinola's penalty was stopped by Canadian keeper Gianluca Catalano. However, 15-year old Andrew Carleton provided the insurance goal three minutes later. Canadian striker Jonathan David pulled one back in the 79th minute, but the match ended 3-1.

In the second match, Canada got on the board first via a Terique Mohammed finish. Carleton evened the match at 1-1 with a penalty conversion in the 38th minute following a handball in the box. The U.S. continued to press for the go-ahead goal and were rewarded in the 76th minute when Akinola slotted his shot past the keeper. Canada pushed for an equalizer, but Akinola put the match away in the 93rd minute off a counter-attack.

It was a big performance for the Canadian-born Akinola who was taking on a national team featuring several of his Toronto FC Academy teammates.

The U-17s friendly victories continue an incredibly successful start to 2016, which includes winning the 44th Mondial Football de Montaigu Tournament where they defeated France in the final by a 3-2 margin.

Full roster for the friendlies included below (via U.S. Soccer):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Alexander Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Justin Garces (Kendall FC; Miami, Fla.), Quantrell Jones (Baltimore Celtic; Baltimore, Md.), Hunter Pinho (PDA; Cranford, N.J.)

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Asensio (Roswell, Ga.; Georgia United), Michael Edwards (Woodbridge, Va.; D.C. United), Tyler Freitas (North Attleboro, Mass; New England Revolution), Jean-Julian Foe Nuphaus (San Jose, Calif.; San Jose Earthquakes), Christopher Gloster (Montclair, N.J.; New York Red Bulls), Benjamin Huynh (Seattle Sounders; Everett, Wash.), Ian Murphy (Redlands, Calif.; FC Golden State), Tyler Shaver (Riverside, Conn.; Beachside Soccer Club), Chandler Vaughn (D.C. United; Woodbridge, Va.)

MIDFIELDERS (11): George Acosta (Weston FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Patrick Ajdukiewicz (Sockers FC; Barrington, Ill.), Isaac Angking (Providence, R.I.; New England Revolution), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Chelsea SC; Southlake, Texas), Christopher Goslin (Georgia United; Locust Grove, Ga.), Ben Lederman (Barcelona, Spain; IMG Academy), James Sands (New York Soccer Club; Rye, N.Y.), Arturo Vasquez (FC Golden State; Mira Loma, Calif.), Adrian Villegas (Portland Timbers; Hood River, Ore.), Akil Watts (Fort Wayne, Ind.; IMG Academy)

FORWARDS (8): Ayomide Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton, Ont.), Andrew Carleton (Georgia United; Powder Springs, Ga.), Zyen Jones (Clarkston, Ga.; Georgia United), Niccolo Lemoine (Livermore, Calif.; De Anza Force), Alejandro Pereira (Oveido, Fla.; Orlando City FC), William Sands (Rye, N.Y.; New York Soccer Club), Joshua Sargent (Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.), Tonny Temple (IMG Academy; Millville, Pa.)