USA kicks off U-17 World Cup with 2-0 defeat to Nigeria

Just to keep with the current top-down state of the United States’ men’s nation team system, the U.S. U-17 squad kicked off its 2015 U-17 World Cup campaign with an uninspired, underwhelming 2-0 defeat to Nigeria (highlights above), the defending champions, in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday.

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It was a front-to-back struggle for the Richie Williams’ U-17 side, as the defense routinely struggled to snuff out simple counter-attacking tactics, while the midfield and forward line offered little to no relief by way of sustained possession or chances created.

🇺🇸 U17s starting XI v Nigeria: W. Pulisic; Olosunde, Nelson, Trusty, Arellano (c); Calvillo, C. Pulisic, Zendejas; Wright, Gallardo, Perez.
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) October 17, 2015

'50 GOAL Nigeria – Chukwudi Agor gets to a lose ball in the box and puts it home 0-1 #USAvNGA
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) October 17, 2015

'61 GOAL Nigeria – Agor heads the ball to Victor Osimhen who beats two defenders & bounces a shot off the inside of the post. 0-2 #USAvNGA
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) October 17, 2015

Not a single shot on target from the U.S. today. pic.twitter.com/yHLK8WsRic
— Will Parchman (@WillParchman) October 17, 2015

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The second goal conceded, it should be noted, came directly from a U.S. goal kick. The ball was immediately headed back to where it came from and Osimhen met little resistance from there as he raced in on goal and doubled the lead.

The U.S.’s next game in Group A is against Croatia, who play Chile later today, on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.