U.S. Under-20 Men's Soccer Team Places First in CONCACAF Qualifying

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August 17, 1998

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – University of Virginia sophomore forward Chris Albright (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored four goals and one assist in three games as the United State under-20 men’s soccer team finished in first place in CONCACAF qualifying, held in Trinidad last week. The Americans finished with an overall record of 2-0-1 to earn a spot in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, to be played in Nigeria next April.

In its opening game, the only contest in which Albright did not score, the United States played Costa Rica to a 1-1 tie. The Americans jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the 21st minute, but then had a player ejected in the 35th minute and had to play a man down for the remainder of the game. Costa Rica took advantage of that opportunity in the 83rd minute with a goal to forge a 1-1 tie.

In its next game, the Americans jumped out to a 3-0 halftime advantage on their way to a 5-1 win over Canada. Albright opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he took a pass from Jamar Beasley and broke free behind the Canadian defense before driving a shot into the into the lower right corner of the net. With the U.S. leading 4-1 in the 56th minute Albright added a second goal, heading in a cross by Beasley from 10 yards away.

The final game for the U.S. was a 6-1 victory over Trinidad & Tobago, with Albright totaling two goals and an assist. Albright once again opened the scoring for the Americans, heading in a free kick by Steve Cherundolo in the third minute. Albright would score again before the end of the first half, knocking in a pass from Beasley in the 41st minute to give the U.S. a 4-0 halftime lead. Albright also had an assist on the Americans next score, feeding Nick Garcia for a goal in the 59th minute.

The under-20 team is expected to resume training for the 1999 World Youth Championship in January.