July 30, 2010

U.S. Soccer Recap

COLERAINE, Northern Ireland - Conor Shanosky, who will join the George Mason University men's soccer team for his freshman season in the fall, started at midfield and logged 72 minutes in the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team's 3-2 victory over Denmark in the Milk Cup on Wednesday in Coleraine. The U.S. is the only team in the Elite Section to take two wins from its first two games of the prestigious tournament.

Combined with the USA's win on Monday against China, Thomas Rongen's side takes six points to have a shot at the championship, where they will face the hosts Northern Ireland on Friday at 1 p.m. ET. In the final, the U.S. will face a Northern Ireland side that drew 1-1 with Mexico and topped China 5-0.

After the Americans allowed an early goal against Denmark, Adrian Ruelas drew them even at 1-1 heading into halftime. Fuad Ibrahim scored for the U.S. just minutes after entering as a substitute, but an own goal put the score even once again at 2-2. In the 89th minute, with the U.S. knowing they needed a win, Ruelas provided the winner that sent his team to the final.

The other placement games at the Milk Cup will see Japan and China meet for fifth place and Mexico taking on Denmark for third place.