Two days after qualifying for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Sporting KC Academy defender Jaylin Lindsey and the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team battled Mexico to a 1-1 draw before falling 5-4 on penalty kicks in the final of the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship on Sunday at Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Lindsey started five of the six matches in Panama as the U.S. finished the tournament with a 5-0-1 record and punched its ticket to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set for Oct. 6-28 in India.
After playing 90 minutes in central defense in Friday’s 6-2 win over Cuba, Lindsey logged a full shift at his preferred right back position on Sunday. The U.S., which earned a 4-3 group stage win over Mexico on April 26, was on its way to replicating that result when Andrew Carleton fired the Americans ahead on 62 minutes.
However, Mexico would salvage a last-gasp equalizer in second-half stoppage time as Carlos Robles headed home to force penalty kicks. The archrivals converted each of the first three attempts in the shootout, but Akil Watts’ miss in the fourth round proved costly as El Tri ultimately prevailed 5-4.
The U-17 MNT will now turn its attention to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. Head coach John Hackworth’s side will learn its group stage opponents when the draw takes place July 7 in Mumbai.
Lindsey, 17, has recorded four assists in more than 20 appearances for the U.S. at the U-17 level. He previously represented his country at the U-15 and U-16 levels.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Lindsey signed an Academy contract with the Swope Park Rangers in May 2016. He made two appearances for the club last season before joining the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in August.
