U15 BNT held to draw vs Slovenia

<p class="p1">The U.S. U15 Boys National Team opened the Torneo Delle Nazioni with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia on Monday. LA Galaxy Academy forward Ruben Ramos came off the bench in the second half to score USA’s only goal. Ramos scored his goal on his first touch of the game. New York Red Bulls Academy center back Davi Alexandre hit the long, searching ball forward that found Ramos’ run. He used his touch to push the ball past the Slovenian goalkeeper and earned USA the point in the opener.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Slovenia scored the opening goal in the first half. USA was off-balance defensively after Scott Chavira stepped up to challenge in an aerial duel after a long ball from Slovenia following a drop-ball restart from inside their own 18-yard box. The flicked on ball landed between Alexandre and a Slovenia attacker. Alexandre’s slide tackle knocked the ball off the shin of the attacker, but it landed kindly for the home side at a winger. Right back Michael Cortellessa was left with two players to defend with no help. Slovenia capitalized on the numerical advantage for the opening tally.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">USA had chances in the first half, but failed to capitalize on them. Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id="8453" first="Owen" last="Anderson"] hit a wonderful strike off a low driven corner kick from [player_tooltip player_id="33304" first="Kyrome" last="Lumsden"] that looked like it was headed across the goal line, but the goalkeeper did enough in the eyes of the referee to keep the ball from fully crossing the line.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Alexandre hit the crossbar on a shot following a cross from Nimfasha Berchimas in the first half. The post was the only thing that could deny Alexandre as the shot blew past the goalkeeper but rattled the frame of the goal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Second half substitutes Grayson Carter and Ramos brought some new life to the fixture. Ramos scored the goal and then had a header that required a save from the Slovenia goalkeeper. Carter was a dangerous option in the center of the field and did well showing as an option for the center backs in the build-up.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ruben Ramos (<a href="https://x.com/LAGalaxyAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAGalaxyAcademy</a>) scores 20 seconds after coming into the game in the second half - his first touch of the game is the goal. Davi Alexandre with the assist <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/USYNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USYNT</a> <a href="https://t.co/YA86rRKpKg">pic.x.com/YA86rRKpKg</a></p>&mdash; J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) <a href="https://x.com/JREskilson/status/1518636449943359488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p class="p1">Berchimas was a standout throughout the game from the left wing. The Charlotte FC Academy prospect is playing up an age group and still looked like the most dominant player in the attacking third. He is dynamic with space. Slovenia sent multiple defenders at him in the second half to slow him down. He still created a couple of chances with crosses from the end line.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Rohan Rajagopal was the holding piece of the team. The defensive midfielder played every minute of the game. He was good on the ball and made smart decisions. USA struggled with handling Slovenia on the counter-attack with not having enough numbers back and not knowing when to use a tactical foul to end a move. Rajagopal still put in an impressive shift especially when in possession. As this team progresses, hopefully Rajagopal will be on the ball more in the build-up as the two center backs had a tendency to go with the long-ball on Monday after falling behind in the first half.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Grayson Carter’s appearance in the second half was a bright spot in the game. The Portland Timbers prospect from Idaho had a highlight reel moment with a meg in the center of the field in the second half. His swagger is certainly going to attract the interests of scouts at the tournament.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Grayson Carter (<a href="https://x.com/TimbersFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimbersFC</a>) was a bright spot in the second half for US U15. This bit of skill was best moment of the game. <a href="https://x.com/michaellycklama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@michaellycklama</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/USYNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USYNT</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://t.co/sAloLR5JTk">pic.x.com/sAloLR5JTk</a></p> — J.R. Eskilson (@JREskilson) <a href="https://x.com/JREskilson/status/1518639808330883072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <p class="p1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </span></p> &nbsp; <p class="p1">USA is back in action on Wednesday. Given the quick turnaround, the depth of the squad will be challenged during this international event.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">USA U15 BNT Starting XI vs Slovenia:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p3">1-Zackory Campagnolo; 2-Michael Cortellessa, 5-Davi Alexandre, 17-Scott Chavira, 3-Jeremiah White; 20-Rohan Rajagopal, 7-[player_tooltip player_id="33304" first="Kyrome" last="Lumsden"], 10-[player_tooltip player_id="8453" first="Owen" last="Anderson"]; 11-Nimfasha Berchimas, 6-Caden Glover, 23-Bryce Outman</p>