The U.S. Under-17 Men’s Youth National Team defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in its second match at the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship in Antigua, Guatemala on Monday night.
Forward Micah Burton, midfielder Paulo Rudisill and midfielder Taha Habroune scored first-half goals for the U.S. in another strong performance as head coach Gonzalo Segares heavily rotated the starting XI from the tournament opener, making eight changes.
The USA clinched a top-three finish in Group F and a berth in the knockout stage of the competition. Following the first two matchdays, the USA sits atop the group with six points and a +7 goal differential. Canada topped Barbados 2-0 in the first game of the day. The U.S. next faces Canada on Wednesday, Feb. 15 (8 p.m. ET; FS1, ViX+).
While the U-17 MYNT heavily rotated its line-up from Saturday’s match vs. Barbados, the U.S. was similarly in control offensively facing another low block. On the evening, the USA out-shot Trinidad 32 to seven and out-possessed the Soca Warriors 75 percent to 25.
Trinidad did well to defend most of the USA’s 12 corner kicks, but the U.S. attack was relentless in winning back Trinidadian clearances and playing it back in. Following an attempted clear in the 11th minute, the U.S. found Habroune driving down the right side and the midfielder hit a hard rolling cross to Burton to tap in the game’s opening goal.
The second came again from close range just three minutes later. This time, it was left back Sawyer Jura tearing towards the end line before playing to Rudisill just inside the six, where he one-timed it home to give the Americans a 2-0 advantage.
Trinidad goalkeeper Ailan Panton was kept plenty busy on the evening, making six saves, while the U.S. also fired several long-range shots wide. The U-17s were patient in its possession throughout the night, and their methodical build-up created another goal midway through the half. U.S. right back Aiden Harangi and Rudisill created danger all evening on the right side and in the 24th, Harangi found Rudisill driving down the wing, where he sent in a cross for Habroune. The midfielder coolly finished from six yards out for his second international goal in as many appearances.
Trinidad showed a bit more bite in the second half, forcing goalkeeper Adam Beaudry to make his first save in the 69th minute. The Soca Warriors got on the board in the 78th, as Derrel Garcia rocketed a volley from the top of the 18. Beaudry made an impressive save in the 81st to maintain the USA’s two-goal lead, diving to stop another well-hit shot from Garcia.
