The United States U17s was just moments away from clinching the Concacaf U17 Championship. A last minute equalizer and penalty kicks dented their dream of becoming the champions. The team's toughest rival completed a late game push to snap The United States U17s perfect run through the competition in Sunday's finals after beginning the tournament with five wins in a row.
Mexico notched a ninetieth minute equalizer to level the scoreline to 1-1 before winning the game 5-4 in penalty shootouts to eventually clinch the 2017 CONCACAF U17 Championship.
Carleton gave the United States the lead
Following a thrilling, but goalless first-half, the United States Under-17 finally got the opener in the sixty-second minute thanks to a Mexico defensive blunder. Just minutes after coming in as a substitute, Weah won an aerial ball header on a miss-hit from Mexico goalkeeper Alba, passing the ball to Carleton, who wasted no time to put the US ahead in a 1-0 lead in the second half. Both teams apparently created several opportunities in the first forty-five minutes, but the “best look” obviously came from the Mexicans. A powerful drive from El Tri striker Rosa Gonzalez forced a superlative save effort from US goalkeeper Justin Garces, who dove to get hold of the shot.
Mexico gained massive control in the last minutes of the game
As the second-half continued following Carleton's 62nd-minute goal, the young El Tri persistently oppressed the US half but was repeatedly repulsed by the young Stars and Stripes defensive forces; a defense that conceded only six-goals throughout the six-game championship.
However, the scoreline was later tied up when Carlos Robles headed home the equalizer for Mexico in the stoppage hour and eventually pushed for a penalty shootout to decide.
Both teams made their first three shots from the spot-kick with both sides goalkeepers getting their gloves on their third attempts as they continuously trickled in.
On the fourth attempt for the United States, Akil Watts struck his shot over the crossbar, apparently opening the door for the young El Tri.
United States defender James Sands took the fifth spot-kick before El Tri playmaker Roberto de la Rosa Gonzalez struck home the winner for Mexico. Nevertheless, both Mexico and the United States now book their places in this year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which is scheduled to hold in India from October 6-28.
