NYCFC’s James Sands played a crucial role for USMNT U17s as they lifted the Nike International Friendlies title this weekend.
The 16-year old from Rye, New York started the final game of the annual tournament as John Hackworth’s side beat Brazil 3-0 in Florida.
Goals from Ayo Akinola, Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah gave the team a third Nike International Friendlies title overall and a first since 2013.
That completed a perfect 3-0-0 weekend for the u17s who also beat Turkey (5-1) and Portugal (7-1).
Sands was part of a defense which conceded just two goals in the three games.
Coach Hackworth reflected: “I was in this job previously in my career and I’ve talked about it a lot, our soccer and tactical understanding are getting better.
“The players are technical enough now that we can play against the best teams in the world and in some cases, not only compete with them on a technical and tactical side, but be successful like we were this week.
“I don’t like to put results and development together as one, but it is an important part of the process that you learn how to be successful, in these games and tournaments.
“We work very hard, but with the idea that we’re going to get better individually and with the idea that collectively, as a team, we are going to be able to go and compete.
“It’s everybody at U.S. Soccer, especially from the Development Academy to the Youth National Teams, that we believe we can be successful in a World Cup one day.
“We are very connected in that goal and I just think in this little snapshot that you see some good signs of progress.”
With the victory, the u17 MNT closes the year with a 19-4-6 record over 29 matches in 2016.
