Sporting KC Academy defender Jaylin Lindsey started and played 90 minutes as the U.S. U-17 men’s national team opened the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship with an emphatic 5-0 win over Jamaica. The U.S. U-17s sit second in Group C, tied with Mexico on points but one back on goal differential.
Despite a collection of talent that scored 13 goals at the Nike Friendlies last December, the Jamaican defense was able to hold the U.S. attack at bay for the first 45 minutes. It was not until the 53rd minute when the Americans broke through with D.C. United midfielder Chris Durkin heading home a George Acosta corner kick for what proved to be the winning goal.
The U.S. U-17s controlled the flow of the match and outshot Jamaica 22-7 with 10 of those attempts coming on target. The floodgates opened up for the U.S. in the 77th minute, however, when Paris Saint-Germain striker Timothy Weah - son of 1995 Ballon d'Or winner George Weah - tapped home an Ayomide Akinola cross to double the lead.
Missouri native and team captain Josh Sargent got onto the scoresheet 10 minutes later after he ran on to a long ball from Lindsey and poked his attempt around Jamaican goalkeeper Tajay Griffiths. Akinola added two more goals in the 88th minute and in the second minute of stoppage time to complete the 5-0 victory.
The U.S. will play their second group stage match on Wednesday against Mexico. The match will kick off at 5:30pm CT on UDN and CONCACAF’s YouTube page. The top four teams from the CONCACAF U-17 Championship will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.
