JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The New England Revolution Under-17 squad closed out the 2012 Future Champions Guateng tournament with a 4-2 loss against the Orlando Pirates (South Africa) on Saturday, March 31.
With the loss, the Under-17s finished the 2012 Future Champions Guateng tournament with a 1-3-1 record, good for sixth place among twelve international teams – making the Revolution the highest ranked American team in Future Champions history.
The Pirates struck first in the third minute of the match, leaving the Revolution facing an almost immediate deficit. Both teams created chances throughout the remainder of the first half, and New England equalized off a set piece in the 22nd minute. Having earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, both Danny Apajee (Cranston, R.I.) and Guy Kabala (Manchester, N.H.) stood over the ball. After Apajee’s fake, Kabala fired his shot directly into the back of the net to level the score at 1-1.
Orlando score three more times in second half, in the 32nd, 49th and 58th minutes to make it 4-1. The Revs then answered in the 59th minute, reducing the South Africans’ lead. New England moved the ball down the right flank and after an initial shot was deflected into the midfield, Declan McCabe (Weston, Mass.) slotted the ball home to make it 4-2 – the game’s final score.
Following the U16s’ return to the U.S., the Revolution youth teams will resume the Development Academy schedule on the road, meeting PA Classics in Manheim, Pa., on Saturday, April 14, before taking on FC Delco in Downingtown, Pa., on Sunday, April 15.
2012 Future Champions GautengNew England Revolution U17s vs. Orlando Pirates U17s
Saturday, March 31, 2012 – Soweto, South Africa (Nike Football Training Center)
Pirates 4, Revolution 2
Scoring Summary:
OP – Nhalanipho Ntuli 3
NE – Guy Kabala (unassisted) 22
OP – Siyanda Ngcobo 32
OP – Tshepo Liphoko 49
OP – Sizwe Twala 58
NE – Declan McCabe (unassisted) 59
New England Revolution: David Hepp (GK), Erik Martel, Will Szostkiewicz, Matthew Cooper, Christian Sady, Casey Schehl (Zach Herivaux 39), Guy Kabala, Danny Apajee (Greg Forgue 50), Ryan Kingsley (Declan McCabe 39), Amadu Kunateh (Luke Albertini 50), Gabe Gissie (Matthew Nyeayea 31)
Unused substitutes: Matthew Mozynski (GK), Kevin Herrera
Misconduct Summary:
OP – Nhalanipho Ntuli (caution) 60
