Gianluca Busio strikes as USA falls 4-1 to Senegal in U-17 World Cup group stage opener

Midfielder Gianluca Busio became the first Sporting Kansas City player to score in a FIFA U-17 World Cup on Sunday, heading home inside three minutes as the United States U-17 Men’s National Team fell 4-1 to Senegal in their group stage opener at Estadio Kleber Jose de Andrade in Cariacica, Brazil.

Busio’s bullet header, an exquisite finish off Joe Scally’s cross from the right channel, was tied for the earliest U.S. goal in a U-17 World Cup. The Sporting Kansas City Academy product now has eight goals in 16 international appearances at the U-17 level.

Led by head coach Raphael Wicky, the U.S. U-17s will remain in Cariacica for the resumption of their group stage campaign on Wednesday when they face Japan. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT with live television coverage on FS2 and NBC Universo and a live stream on the FOX Sports app.

The 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup features 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams. The top two finishers in each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout round. All 52 matches of the tournament will be played in four venues across Brazil.

2019 FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP: USA GROUP D SCHEDULE

Busio, who became the most experienced professional to ever take the field for the U.S. at a U-17 World Cup, needed just three minutes to land the first punch on Sunday afternoon. Scally, a Homegrown Player for New York City FC, was afforded space on the right side to swing a teasing delivery into the box. Busio latched onto the service near the penalty spot and nodded powerfully past Senegal goalkeeper Ousmane Ba.

Making their debut in a U-17 World Cup, Senegal responded positively and leveled terms on the stroke of halftime when Souleymane Faye struck low across U.S. keeper Daman Las and into the far corner.

The U.S. began the second half brightly with Busio once again involved. His right-footed curler in the 54th minute was deflected over the crossbar, just seconds before Gio Reyna’s ensuing corner kick was nearly prodded into the net by Tayvon Gray only to be cleared off the goal line.

The upstart Senegalese secured their victory by scoring twice in the space of four minutes. Substitute Aliou Balde made it 2-1 in the 72nd minute, cleaning up the rebound after Las denied Souleymane Faye on a breakaway, and Amete Faye sealed the result four minutes later with a simple right-footed effort from close range. Pape Sarr’s stunning free kick in the 88th minute added icing on Senegal’s proverbial cake.