U.S. under-17 men

Adu's three goals lead 6-1 rout of South Korea to open world championship.

LAHTI, Finland (Thursday, August 14, 2003) -- The United States shook off an early own goal, then stormed to a 6-1 victory over South Korea to open Group D play in the FIFA Under-17 World Championship at Lahti Stadium tonight.

Fourteen-year-old striker Freddy Adu had three goals for the U.S., though two came in the match's final moments.

The U.S. (1-0, 3 points) can clinch advancement to the quarterfinals with a victory over Sierra Leone (0-0-1, 1) Sunday in a match that will be televised live on Galavision at 7:55 a.m. (ET). Sierra Leone played to a 3-3 draw with Spain (0-0-1, 1) in today's other Group D match.

The top two teams in each of four four-nation groups advance to the quarterfinals.

With rain causing soggy conditions, the U.S. fell behind South Korea (0-1) on an own goal by defender Brandon Owens in the 11th minute. Korean midfielder Young Choi Shin curled a cross from the right side, looking for forward Dong Hyen Yang. U.S. goalkeeper Phil Marfuggi came off his line to collect the service, but Owens, who was man-marking Yang, stepped in front at the six yard box and the ball hit his shoulder and rolled into the open goal. Owens was looking to chest the ball safely over the end line and out of danger, but the ball took a high skip off the wet grass and unexpectedly hit his shoulder.

It took the Americans five minutes to equalize and 15 minutes to take the lead for good.

"We got behind right away with the own goal, but I think our guys did well to counter that and not let it deter them during the match," said U.S. coach John Ellinger. "We played much better in the second half and the guys up front did an excellent job of finishing today. Now we need to get the intensity up and get ready for our next match against a tough Sierra Leone side."

In the 16th minute, Five minutes later, Adu got the U.S. even with an individual effort. Collecting midfielder Danny Szetela's header at the center circle inside the U.S. offensive half, Adu turned to find himself surrounded by five Koreans, two behind and three in front. Adu sliced through a gap between the three defenders and accelerated past to give himself a one-on-one with keeper Ki Seok Cha. As Cha rushed off his line, Adu touched the ball to his left around the sliding keeper and slotted the ball into the open net for a 1-1 tie.

Owens gained redemption in the 26th minute. Midfielder John DiRaimondo bent a corner kick which midfielder Eddie Gaven flicked on goal. Defender Young Shin, sitting on the six-yard-line, tried to head the ball clear, but knocked it directly to Owens at the penalty spot. After bringing the ball down with his right thigh, Owens blasted the ball into the net with his left foot for a 2-1 lead.

The best chance for the Koreans before half came in the 40th minute when forward Young Rok Shin hit the post. Collecting the ball in the right side of the penalty area, Shin quickly turned, losing his defenders and ripped a low blast that ricocheted off the far left post.

The U.S. advantage increased to 3-1 in the 54th minute when Owens, in the right midfield, sent a pass that deflected off a Korean's foot and skipped behind the last defender. Forward Jamie Watson pounced on the mistake and sprinted to the ball as Cha came off his line. Watson took one touch to the left of the keeper and slipped the ball into the open net.

As the U.S. defense increasingly stifled the Korean attack, the Americans went ahead 4-1 in the 75th minute. Defender Steve Curfman, sitting at the top-right corner of the penalty area, was in position when Cha weakly punched away a corner kick and the American used his first touch to find net with a shot that clipped the left post before going in.

In the 89th minute, Owens started the attack from the back, pushing the ball up to Watson who was wide open on the left flank. Watson carried the ball forward and slotted a pass to Adu just inside the right side of the box. As defenders rushed in, Adu cut the ball to his right and beat Cha to the near post to make it 5-1.

In stoppage time, Gaven was taken down in the box and Adu converted the penalty kick for a 6-1 margin.

The final score marked the most lopsided victory for the U.S. in nine appearances in the world championships at this age group. The Americans' best previous offensive effort came in defeating Qatar 5-1 in Japan on Aug. 26, 1993. Adu's hat trick was the second for the U.S. in the under-17 world championship, 10 years after Judah Cooks did against Qatar.

Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles). Assistant referees: Joseph Damoo (Seychelles), Ronny Mellon (Seychelles). Venue: Lahti (Finland) Stadium. Weather: Cool, 65 degrees.