Seitz's 14 Saves Lead USA U-20 Squad To 2-1 Win Against Brazil
7/9/2007 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
July 9, 2007
OTTAWA, Canada - Former Maryland men's soccer keeper Chris Seitz racked up 14 saves as the United States took down Brazil, 2-1, in its last match in Group D at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. With the win, the Americans won their group for the third straight time and went undefeated in group play (2-0-1) in their second consecutive World Cup. Former Terrapin Robbie Rogers also earned his third start for the American side in the tournament.
The United States will now take on Uruguay in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, July 11 in Toronto. The match will be televised live at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Uruguay went 1-1-1 in its group and was the third-place team in Group B. They tied the European champions Spain, 2-2 in their opening match and then defeated Jordan, 1-0, before losing to Zambia, 2-0.
The Americans got on the board first against the Brazilians in the 25th minute when Josmer Altidore scored from 18 yards out off of a pass from Freddy Adu. Adu stole the ball from a Brazilian defender and deflected it to Altidore's foot for the goal.
Brazil continuously pressured the American defense in the waning minutes of the first half and early in the second, but Seitz held off the attack for 63 minutes. In the 64th, a Brazilian attacker took a shot on net that Seitz saved. The rebound, however, fell to Leandro Lima's foot who took advantage of the open goal.
The US pushed for the go-ahead goal in the final 10 minutes and finally got it when Adu assisted on Altidore's second goal of the match. Adu carried the ball along the touchline and played a ball that deflected off a defender and found its way to Altidore. From six yards out, Altidore found the back of the net for the game winner.
Brazil made one final push for an equalizer in the 86th minute when it earned a corner kick. The in-swinger was punched out by Seitz but it went right to a Brazilian attacker. Seitz made a point-blank save that rebounded back to the Brazilians. The second shot was fired high, but Seitz held on this time to put an end to the threat.
The Americans finished group play 2-0-1 with its second win coming in impressive fashion against Poland, 6-1, after tying Korea Republic, 1-1, in their group opener.
