Defending champions Nigeria dispensed a sharp lesson to the US in both teams' U-17 World Cup opener on Saturday afternoon in Santiago, Chile. The tournament favorites dominated from the opening whistle, tallying twice for a comfortable 2-0 win.
Led by center forward Victor Osimhen and rampant winger Funsho Bamgboye, Nigeria's "Eaglets" outran, out-passed and out-fought the Americans. They controlled more than 60 percent of possession and forced the US back line to bend until it eventually broke, as surprise starter Auston Trusty, an American central defender, was victimized twice before being sent off for a stomp on Osimhen in the 87th minute.
The first goal came just minutes after halftime, when Trusty's failed clearance ping-ponged around the box before falling to Chukwudi Agor, who made no mistake from eight yards out.
Eleven minutes after that Osimhen did the deed himself. Trusty failed to step with the rest of the US backline, keeping the Nigerian striker onside and putting him in position to turn a hopeful midfield clearance into a perfect breakaway. Osimhen held off Trusty and Hugo Arellano before sliding home the dagger.
US chances were few and far between. Their best on the day came early in the first half when Borussia Dortmund youngster Christian Pulisic dispossessed Nigeria right back John Lazarus and drove into the box, but his low, hard cross was cleared just ahead of forward Joe Gallardo's run. Minutes later Pulisic again got loose down the left, but winger Haji Wright contrived to miss from six yards out.
The US did not manage to put a single shot on target on the day.
FC Dallas midfielder Alejandro Zendejas went the full 90 for the US, picking up a yellow card in the process.
The US are next in action on Tuesday against Croatia, before finishing group play on Friday against Chile.
USA lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Will Pulisic -- 2-Matthew Olosunde (18-Tyler Adams, 67), 4-Auston Trusty, 5-Hugo Arellano (capt.), 3-John Nelson -- 20-Alejandro Zendejas, 6-Eric Calvillo, 11-Josh Perez -- 7-Haji Wright (8-Luca de la Torre, 64), 9-Joe Gallardo (17-Pierre da Silva, 83), 10-Christian Pulisic
Subs Not Used: 12-Kevin Silva, 13-Alexis Velela, 14-Tanner Dieterich, 15-Danny Barbir, 16-Tommy McCabe, 19-Brandon Vazquez, 21-Eric Lopez
