The good news for the United States U-17s is that they've gained vital experience in Mexico during a 10-day training trip in advance of this summer's World Cup.
The bad: Wilmer Cabrera's squad needs to find the net if they hope to impress during the tournament that begins on June 18.
The US failed to score during two friendlies with the Mexican U-17 national team at Estadio Corregidora in Querétaro, one of the seven venues that will be used for the World Cup.
Last week, Carlos Fierro and Marco Bueno tallied for the home side in a 2-0 Mexico win that saw Cabrera use five substitutes. In the second match this past Sunday, El Tri once again proved victorious. A 55th-minute goal from Fierro proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win; Cabrera did not make a single change.
Nate Smith, Esteban Rodriguez, Matt Dunn and Alfred Koroma played all 180 minutes for the US over the two-game set.
The 24 players who traveled to Mexico will return to train at the Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. Most of the group should make the final World Cup roster, but Cabrera may make substitutions based on form and fitness over the next six weeks.
MEXICO 2, US 0 (April 27)
US lineup:
Fernando Piña; Joe Amon (Kellyn Acosta), Zach Carroll (Mobi Fehr), Andrew Souders (Alessandro Mion), Nate Smith, Esteban Rodriguez, Matt Dunn, Marc Pelosi, Tarik Salkicic, (Dillon Serna), Alfred Koroma, Jack McBean (Mario Rodriguez)
Mexico lineup:
José González; Francisco Flores, Antonio Briseño, Luis Solorio, Jorge Caballero (Felipe Sifuentes), Julio Gómez (José Tostado), David Camerona, Jorge Espericuetta (Carlos Guzmán), Giovanny Casillas (Marcelo Gracia), Carlos Fierro (Daniel Hernández), Marco Bueno (Juan Celada)
MEXICO 1, US 0 (May 1)
US lineup:
Ferando Piña; Zach Carroll, Nathan Smith, Kellyn Acosta, Matt Dun, Mobi Fehr, Alfred Karoma, Esteban Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez, Joe Amon
Mexico lineup:
Dilan Nicoletti; Francisco Flores (Luis Solorio), Carlos Guzmán, Antonio Briseño, Felipe Sifuentes, Enrique Flores, Kevin Escamilla (Julio Gómez), Pablo Tostado (Jorge Espiricueta), Jorge Celada (Carlos Fierro), Alfonso Ginzález, Daniel Hernández (Marco Bueno).
