The U.S. Under-17 National Team won the Nike International Friendlies for the first time, beating Brazil 3-1 in the last game of the tourney at the Premier Sports Campus in Florida.
First half goals from Rubio Rubin, Tyler Turner and Red Bull academy standout Wesley Wade staked the U.S. to a lead, and they held on for the victory.
The diminutive Junior Flores was named ussoccer.com Man of the Match, and has been a revelation throughout the tournament. Wade _ who scored a late equalizer in the opening 2-2 tie against France, and assisted a goal in the 2-1 win over Turkey _ was one of five Red Bull academy prospects on the team, the most of any MLS side.
The U.S. received the 2011 Nike International Friendlies championship trophy from U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati. Brazil finished in second place with four points, while France was third with three points from three ties. Turkey came in fourth after winning last year’s tournament.
The Red Bulls provided keeper Evan Louro (New York Red Bulls; South River, N.J.), defender Kevin Politz (New York Red Bulls; Morganville, N.J.), midfielders Steven Echevarria (New York Red Bulls; Slate Hill, N.Y.) and Christopher Lema (New York Red Bulls; Ridgefield, N.J) and Wade, from South Orange, N.J. The latter pair started, while Echevarria came on in the 65th minute.