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In the closest match the United States U-17 men’s team has played in the last two years, only their superior goal difference over the Dominican Republic saw them qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar this coming November.

Union II striker Malik Jakupovic clinically finished a header past New York Red Bull academy goalkeeper Aidan Betances of the Dominican side in the 41st Minute to put the U. S. ahead.

But three minutes later the Dominican Republic’s captain Adrian Garcia Jaquez dribbled past multiple U. S. defenders as he penetrated to the center of the penalty box, beat defensive mid Peter Molinari with his shot, and put it past goalkeeper James Donaldson for the draw.

 The were several more excellent chances for each side in the second half, but no more goals.

In the 78th minute the match changed. U. S. center back Astin Mbaye pulled the arm of a Dominican attacker who had gotten by him, received his second yellow card, and was sent off. He had gotten away with the same offense in the 60th minute with only an extremely lenient yellow card.

The Dominicans’ pressure at the end was intense. But keeper Donaldson and the defenders were equal to the task. And in good news for Union fans, striker Jakupovic was instrumental providing the lone striker’s hold-ups that repeatedly won the defenders 15 or 20 seconds to catch their breaths and reorganize.

In advance

 The third match of the US of A’s Group E was the advancement match. The other three teams in the group go home. The advancement game pitted the group’s two remaining all-victorious teams against each other.

If the match were to have ended in a draw as it did, there would have been no extra time and the US would have advanced on superior goal difference, 18 to 15, exactly as they just barely did.

The two Union organization players, professional striker Jakupovic of Union II and amateur goalkeeper Matthew White of the Academy had both played the full 90 minutes Saturday, February 7^th. Jakupovic started and did exactly the same three days later on Tuesday. Going into the final round, Jakupovic had led the tournament in scoring  with seven goals total and added his eighth Tuesday.

Between matches one and two the Dominican Republic had not rotated their squad as much as the United States had. Nine of eleven Dominican starters had been the same. Tuesday’s second half saw two Dominican forced  substitutions for uncontrollable cramping.

Only two U. S. defenders started both matches, so the Stars and Stripes may perhaps have been better rested  particularly late in the match. On the day they needed every drop of advantage they could find.

 First half

The Dominican Republic grew into the match. As was no surprise they parked the bus and counter-attacked. When countering they did so in full numbers.

The Dominicans had three players from Major League Soccer academies, three of their four best. Their goalkeeper Aidan Betances, plays in the New York Red Bull system. Right flank midfielder Kamil Castillo plays  a similar role in the D. C. United organization. And Flank midfielder Gabriel Florentino does the same for Inter Miami’s academy.

The match was the first time the United States had been in a competitive Concacaf game in its previous six.

Spanish-born Dominican-eligible Adrian Garcia Jaquez was the opposition’s best, most sophisticated player. He seemed to play more as a defensive midfielder who would push forward into the attack rather than a striker. He plays for the youth side of CD Leganes in Spain.

Second half

In the first ten minutes of the second half, the U. S. played with much greater emotional intensity than in the first 45 minutes.  They also were less disciplined in keeping their formation and maintaining their roles.

For the first twenty-five minutes the Dominicans matched or slightly surpassed the U. S. efforts. Garcia Jaquez repeatedly committed professional fouls that the referee admonished verbally without issuing cards, probably appropriately as he wanted the players to determine qualification not him.

Two DOGSO events by the U. S. defense suggest how closely the match was balanced until the previously mentioned U. S. red card in the 78th. Thence forward the Americans were defending, although they deserve full credit for managing occasionally to win and maintain possession in the offensive half.

The Dominicans lost at least two starters to uncontrollable cramping. Three games in five days took its toll, especially on the younger Dominican players like Kamil Castillo.

B O X S C O R E

Lineups

US of A (4-2-3-1, L-R)

Starters: James Donaldson, Prince Forfor, LIam Vejrostek, Astin Mbaye, Eddie Chadwick; Kaedren Spivey (Tyson Espy 80′), Peter Molinari; Will Ostrander (Matteo Dimarelli 61′), Vicente Garcia (Paul Sokoloff 61′) (Landry Walker 90+1′) , Myles Gardner (Max Steelman 46′); Malik Jakupovic.

Unused Substitutes: Keller Abbott, Daniel Barrett, Aaron Medina, Roko Pehar, Matthew White.

Dominican Republic (3-5-2, L-R)

Starters: Aidan Betances; Miguel Munoz, Alejandro Lopez, Daniel Fernandez; Gabriel Florentino (Jarol Ramos 89′), Luis Almonte (Justin Gomez 74′), Marc Garcia (Marcos Castillo 89′), Jorge Valenzuela (Junior Arias 74′), Kamil Castillo (Hugo Gonzalez 61′); Jose Mejia, Adrian Garcia Jaquez.

Unused Substitutes: Chaiel Gonzalez, Ian Herrera, Byron Matias, Cesar Mena, David Rosario.

Scoring

U. S.      41st minute      Malik Jakupovic (Will Ostrander)

Dom      44th minute     Adrian Garcia Jaquez