USMNT U18s lose to Uruguay in first match of NTC Invitational

New York Red Bulls Academy defender Kyle Duncan started at right back for the United States U-18 National Team in a 2-1 loss to Uruguay at the National Training Center Invitational in Carson, California.

Uruguay got on the board in the 36th minute when Martin Amuz headed in a corner, beating keeper Jonathan Klinsmann to the far post. La Celeste added a second in the 60th minute when Martin Pereira received a perfect through ball and saw his deflected shot loop over Klinsmann's head.

The United States pulled one back in the 83rd minute after Emmanuel Sabbi was bodied off the ball and the referee called a penalty. Jackson Yueill converted from the spot to the bemusement of Uruguay. A Uruguayan media website (through the magic of Google Translate) described the penalty being enforced due to "a criminal law that you can only find in a country like the USA."

Both sides continued to threaten the opposing goal for the rest of the match, but things ended at 2-1.

The U18s have struggled to score in 2015, with all three goals this year coming on penalties. They play their next match against the Czech Republic on Monday, July 13th at 5 p.m. The match will be streamed on ussoccer.com

Academy defenders Marcello Borges and Andrew Lombard suffered injuries while in camp and did not appear during the match.