Music: {allcanada} AMERICANS DEFEAT CANADA IN EXTRA TIME IN U-17 SOCCER FINAL

Sunday, February 27, 2011

{allcanada} AMERICANS DEFEAT CANADA IN EXTRA TIME IN U-17 SOCCER FINAL

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica - Canada's dream run at the CONCACAF U-17 soccer championship ended Sunday night in a 3-0 extra time loss to the U.S.

The young Canadians paid the price for squandering two scoring chances in the first half and were put to the sword in the second minute of extra time when Nathan Smith hammered home a long-range shot.

The American came in off the left wing and thumped a shot from long distance that beat a diving Maxime Crepeau and bounced in off the top right post.

"Absolutely fantastic," Canadian coach Sean Fleming said of the winning U.S. strike.

"We had our chances in the first half, especially, and against a good side like the U.S. you have to put those away," Fleming told The Canadian Press. "Those are two chances that have to be put away and we didn't.

"Then we struggled a little bit in the second half to get the ball and really get forward."

Smith's goal was the first conceded by Crepeau in more than 7 1/2 hours at the tournament.

Canada then had to press for the tying goal, which opened up chances for the Americans.

Andrew Oliver outraced the Canadian defence on a quick throw-in, deking Crepeau and slotting the ball into the empty goal in the 100th minute of play. Alfred Koroma, sent in alone, made it 3-0 in the 119th minute.

Oliver and Canadian Marco Lapenna were ejected after a clash late in extra time. And the Canadians, who had made all their substitutions, finished with nine men as defender Luca Gasparotta was injured.

The Americans (5-0), who also needed extra time to dispose of El Salvador 3-2 in the quarter-finals, were full value for the win after carrying the play in the second half.

Still it was a disappointing end for Canada (3-1-1), which had enjoyed a fine tournament.

Both teams had already qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, along with Panama and Jamaica. All four will join host Mexico for the 24-country world championship that runs June 18 to July 10.

"It's a great building block," Fleming said of the Canadian performance.

Panama defeated Jamaica 1-0 earlier Sunday to claim third place in the 12-team regional qualifier covering North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Despite the loss, it's Canada best ever finish at the CONCACAF tournament. The Canadians have finished third three times, most recently in 1994.

The United States is the only country that has qualified for all 13 previous World Cups at this age group. Canada had not qualified since 1995 and has been to just four U-17 world championships -- including hosting the 1987 edition -- finishing 0-12.

Canada had the better of a competitive first half, although both teams had chances. The Canadians had two good early chances but reserve American 'keeper Kendall McIntosh stopped Jay Chapman and Keven Aleman.

Goalkeeper Fernando Pina and midfielder Alejandro Guido were both unavailable for the U.S. through suspension.

In the 32nd minute, American Matt Dunn was just wide on a shot from outside the penalty box.

The U.S. came close in the 53rd when Crepeau misplayed a corner and his punch sent the ball spinning backwards towards goal. But Lapenna cleared off the line.

The Americans began to exert pressure as the second half wore on.

Oliver slashed dangerously into the Canadian penalty box in the 68th minute but a Canadian defender dispossessed him.

Crepeau failed to hang onto the ball in the 73rd after diving on it to stop an American rush. Marc Pelosi passed to Oliver, who chipped the ball high over the gaping goal.

But Crepeau was up to the task minutes later, stopping a low Pelosi shot. Pelosi forced another Canadian save from a long free kick in the 82nd minute.

Both teams outscored their opposition 11-3 during the tournament.