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U.S. U17s Top IMG at SYL Finals Showcase

12/09/2016, 8:30pm EST
By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com

Watts brace lifts USA to win against host IMG at IMG Academy Stadium


Super Y League

BRADENTON, Fla. – As part of the 2016 Super Y League North American Finals, a Friday night showcase event was held at IMG Academy Stadium. SYL players, fans and families packed the stands to see the U.S. U17 Men’s National Team earn a 3-0 victory against IMG Academy’s U17/18 Development Academy side. 

Akil Watts led the way with two goals for the U.S. and Adrian Villegas scored late in the first half for the U17s.

The U.S. finally broke through in the 38th minute on a quickly taken free kick that broke Villegas free from the IMG back line. Villegas had a multiple options on frame to shoot and slotted it to the right of the frame for a 1-0 lead to head into halftime.

Villegas nearly notched a second goal just before the break. His 45th-minute free kick was bound for the upper right corner of the frame. IMG goalkeeper Andrew Rose appeared to hesitate for a split-second, but he timed his dive well just in the nick of time to parry the ball away to concede a U.S. corner kick.

Both sides had some chances in the opening half. IMG midfielder Patrick Cassagnol had the strongest opportunity with a 20th-minute shot that caromed off of the left post. For a three-minute stretch, the USA’s Tonny Temple had two of the better opportunities in the first half – a 29th-minute, one-on-one sequence that resulted in Andrew Rose making a near-post save and a 32nd-minute header that was driven just over the crossbar.

In the second half, the U.S. broke the game open a bit, thanks to Watts’ work rate. In the 70th minute Watts, fired top-shelf off of a set piece opportunity to make it 2-0. Then in the 76th minute, from more than 20 yards out, Watts fired a right-footed shot inside the left post for a three-goal cushion.

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