… US, Canada to clash in all-North American final today
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaica were brought back down to earth, when the United States stopped them 2-0 to reach the Final of the CONCACAF Under-17 Boys’ Championship on Friday.
The euphoria, which marked the island’s qualification for the age group’s World Cup in June in Mexico for the second time, quickly evaporated, after Marc Pelosi scored an early first-half goal for the Americans and set up another in second-half injury time in the second semifinal of the competition at the Catherine Hall Stadium.
The Canadians had already assured themselves of their best finish in this competition, when Luca Gasparotto scored early in the first half to pave the way for a 1-0 victory over Panama in the first semifinal.
The results meant that the United States and Canada would meet in an all-North American final today, after Jamaica face Panama in the consolation final.
In the feature match, Jamaica finished with 10 men after Alvas Powell was sent off in the 87th  minutes.
The Americans went ahead when Esteban Rodriguez’s corner kick bobbled around the penalty area.
The Jamaican defence was only able to partially clear the ball, and American forward Alfred Koroma out-leapt Kemo Wallace to send the ball back towards the goal, where Pelosi was able to knock it into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
The Americans had slightly better possession the rest of the half, and had better possession and chances in the second half, but nothing exceedingly dangerous.
Jamaica tested the American defence in the first half, and wasted an equalising opportunity in the second period, when Zachary Carroll botched a square pass across the front of the goal and Andre Lewis ran on to strike the loose ball, but hit it wide.
Powell was ejected, when Oliver, who entered the game in the 82nd minute, broke down the right side, and drew a foul from the Jamaican defender, who was sent off by Mexican referee Ricardo Arellano.
In stoppage time, Pelosi curled a left-footed drive off the crossbar on the subsequent free kick, and then was able to work free on the left side of the area before squaring a ball into the path of Oliver, who volleyed for the insurance goal.
In the first semifinal, Panama hit the post twice and had more of the possession, but rarely had the Canadians under pressure.
Canada took the lead early, when Michael Petrasso streaked down the left and earned his side’s first corner in the eighth minute.
Samuel Piette curled an in-swinging right-footed drive to the back post, where Gasparotto raced in from the edge of the goal box to leap and head inside the near upright.
Canada seemed content to defend their advantage the rest of the way until the final five minutes, when Panama increased the tempo.