U.S. under-20 men

Johnson sparks rally in second half to defeat Paraguay 3-1 in world championship opener.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Saturday, November 29, 2003) -- Striker Ed Johnson scored one goal, then helped set up tallies by forward Mike Magee and midfielder Bobby Convey as the United States shook off a miserable first half and one-goal deficit at intermission to defeat Paraguay 3-1, opening Group F play in the FIFA World Youth Championship at Al-Nahyan Stadium tonight.

The U.S. next faces Germany here on Tuesday after scoring the second most goals ever in an American world championship tournament opener, bettered only by a 6-0 thrashing of Turkey in 1993.

"We definitely weren't expecting (to score three goals), especially after the first half," Magee said. "We talked at halftime that we had to come out stronger and we knew that the more we played, the better we would get because we haven't been together awhile."

South Korea defeated Germany 2-0 in tonight's other Group F match.

"This was a great effort by every player on the field," U.S. coach Thomas Rongen said. "After going down a goal early in the game, the guys didn't give in and came out in the second half and played excellent. It was a remarkable effort and a crucial win as it provides us with three points right away.

"We've still got Germany and South Korea in a very tough group. The belief they players had in themselves was key to getting us back in this game."

Paraguay attacked from the outset and was clearly the better side in the opening 45 minutes. In the fifth minute, forward Nelson Valdez approached the top of the U.S. penalty area, marked by American defender Chad Marshall. Goalkeeper Steve Cronin came out of the box and flattened Valdez in an attempt to clear the dangerous ball, earning a yellow card and leaving Paraguay a free kick from about 19 yards out.

The U.S. defensive wall was disorganized when Julio Dos Santos quickly touched the ball to fellow midfielder Edgar Barreto who deadened it for Dos Santos who laced a low shot from the top right of the box around the wall and inside the left post, well beyond Cronin's dive for a 1-0 lead.

The U.S. never found its rhythm in the first half, managing only one shot, and Rongen switched right midfielder Santino Quaranta and Justin Mapp who started as the left midfielder, to open the second half. The move paid dividends.

Eight minutes into the second half, Quaranta worked free on the left flank and swerved a pass to Johnson who shed the mark defender Victor Mareco and buried a header past keeper Anthony Silva for a 1-1 tie.

Led by Convey, the Americans continued their assault while their defense started closing down the Paraguayan attackers.

In the 68th minute, Marshall sent a pass upfield to Mapp whose first touch was a back-heel to Johnson advancing down the right sideline. Johnson entered into the right side of the box and drilled a shot that Silva stopped, but the rebound rolled up the middle. Charging on goal, Magee nearly ran past the carom, but reached back with his right foot to steer the ball into the net, making it 2-1.

"We have some unbelievable talent. It is just a matter of showing it on the field," Johnson said. "Mike is real clinical in the box. With our experience with playing professionally in the (Major League Soccer), it has helped a lot. It's just a matter of finishing."

Twelve minutes later, Convey put an exclamation point on the result. Taking a pass from Johnson, Convey moved into the top right of the box, then cut laterally to the center, slicing through three defenders before triggering a left-footer into the top left corner from 16 yards out while in full stride for a 3-1 advantage.

"We worked hard on fitness before this and I think (Paraguay) was surprised," Convey said. "We came out and took it to them in the second half and got a few quick goals."

The best U.S. chance in the first half came in the 38th minute when defender Zak Whitbread served a blistering cross for Magee whose flicked a header went a yard wide right.

"Paraguay was a tough team, but I think we came out in the second half and we showed the spirit this team has," Whitbread said.

Paraguay looked dangerous for most of the first half. In the 30th minute, Cronin moved quickly to his right post to knock away Moreco's low blast from 12 yards.

Referee: Shamsul Maidin (Singapore). Assistant referees: Prachya Permpanich (Thailand), Bengech Allaberdyev (Turkmenistan). Venue: Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Weather: Warm, 75 degrees.