Coached by Larry Sunderland, the U.S. Under-16 National Team won the 2019 Nike International Friendlies earlier this week in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Sunderland, who’s FC Cincinnati’s director of player development, coaches the boy’s national team and led them to an unbeaten record against the Netherlands, Turkey and the U.S. Under-17 National Team, going 2-0-1 overall in the annual tournament.
The U-16’s sealed their title on Monday when they beat Turkey, 3-2, in comeback fashion. In the other two matches, the USBNT beat their American counterparts – the U.S. U-17s – 2-0, and drew the Netherlands, 3-3. The draw against the Dutch saw the U-16’s score two stoppage-time goals to tie the opening game of the competition.
Nike International Friendlies standings:
1. U.S. U-16s: 3 games played, 7 points
2. Netherlands: 3 games played, 5 points
3. U.S. U-17s: 3 games played, 4 points
4. Turkey: 3 games played, 0 points
An update on the FC Cincinnati Academy
The Orange and Blue U-15s completed their Fall season last weekend at the Mercy Health Training Center, where they earned a 1-1 draw. Their next competitive matches are Feb. 15, 2020, in GA Cup games in Georgia. Then, the U-15s play the Toronto FC Academy.
As for the U-17s, they'll compete in the 2019 Winter Cup next month in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The matches will be on Dec. 5, 6 and 8.
