The US got the Under-17 World Cup off to a solid start on Friday, getting goals from D.C. United defender Chris Durkin, Atlanta United attacker Andrew Carleton and Josh Sargent to beat hosts India 3-0 in front of a crowd of 46,312 in New Delhi.
Sargent, the USAās leading scorer during their run to the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup earlier this year, converted a penalty in the 30th minute to give the US a 1-0 lead.
Durkin doubled the advantage in the 51st, smashing a left-footed volley inside the right post after India failed to clear a corner kick.
Carleton made it 3-0 in the 84th, finishing a counterattack launched by midfielder George Acosta.
The win put the US in first in Group A, ahead of Ghana on goal difference. The Americans will face Ghana in their next match on Monday before taking on Colombia in the group stage finale next Thursday.
USA Lineup vs. India
GK: Justin Garces (Atlanta United academy) ā Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City), James Sands (New York City FC), Chris Durkin (D.C. United), Chris Gloster (New York Red Bulls academy) ā Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United; Indiana Vassilev, 90+1ā), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United), Blaine Ferri (Solar SC) ā Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain academy; Jacobo Reyes, 85ā), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC; George Acosta, 66ā)
