Awer Mabil looms as Australia’s X-factor when the Young Socceroos tackle unbeaten USA in their final 2014 NTC invitational match as Paul Okon's men aim to win the tournament.
Awer Mabil looms as Australia-s X-factor when the Young Socceroos tackle unbeaten USA in their final 2014 NTC invitational match as Paul Okon's men aim to win the tournament.
Australia will face a stern test against the Americans who have also maintained a perfect record after securing a 2-1 victory over Chile and an emphatic 4-0 thrashing of Bermuda.
USA is tied with Australia on six points atop the standings, but holds the top spot on goal difference.
The US and Young Socceroos square off on Friday (Saturday, midday AEST) at StubHub Center in what has become the deciding game of the tournament.
With the goal differential situation, the USA can win the event with a draw or victory against Australia.
Paul Okon's men will go into the clash with the hosts full of confidence after pulling off one the best results in the team's history, a stunning 5-4 comeback victory over Chile.
After defeating Bermuda 4-1 in their opening game of the tournament, Paul Okon-s men had to come from 4-2 down to defeat the classy South Americans to make it two from two in the round robin tournament.
The Young Socceroos went 2-0 up before conceding four times to be 4-2 down before powering home with three goals to win the game 5-4.
Adelaide United youngster Amer Mabil has been a standout for Australia netting four times in two games, which included two goals off the bench to level the scores against Chile.
Perth Glory's prodigious attacking midfielder Daniel De Silva has also impressed in California and he was on hand to complete the remarkable comeback against La Roja.
Incredibly, the young Australians had 10 shots on goal of which eight were on target and five went in. By contrast, Chile had 20 shots on goal.
And the foul count favoured the South Americans who had almost double the amount of infringements as the Australians (11/21).
The 20-man Australian-based squad has given players the opportunity to impress coach Paul Okon ahead of Australia's AFC U-19 Championship campaign in Myanmar in October.
The Championship also doubles as the qualification tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand which will be held in July 2015.
Australia-s line-up against Chile
AUS: 18-Paul Izzo; 15-Scott Galloway, 3-Daniel Alessi, 2-Shayne D-Cunha, 5-Riley Woodcock (16-Ben Garuccio, 63); 11-Jaushua Sotorio, 21-Chris Naumoff (8-Awer Mabil, 63), 22-Liam Rose (10-Stefan Mauk, 46), 6-Hagi Gligor (capt.) (20-Jordan Brown, 63); 14-Devante Clut (23-Daniel De Silva, 69), 24-Marc Marino (9-Brandon Borrello, 69) Subs Not Used: 1-Jordan Thurtell, 4-Ben Warland, 7-Shannon Brady
Head Coach: Paul Okon
USA-s line up against Bermuda
USA: 1-Zach Steffen; 13-Chris Odoi-Atsem, 4-Conor Donovan (5-Michael Amick, 46), 17-Jesus Vasquez, 20-Caleb Smith; 24-Tommy Thompson (9-Benji Lopez, 64), 14-Jacori Hayes, 15-Marco Delgado (capt.) (6-Russell Canouse, 64), 11-Zach Pfeffer (2-John Requejo Jr., 73); 10-Romain Gall (16-Fernando Arce, 64), 19-Andrija Novakovich (8-Lynden Gooch, 79) Subs Not Used: 3-Shaquell Moore, 7-Paul Arriola, 12-Santiago Castano
Head Coach: Tab Ramos
The Young Socceroos versus USA will be streamed live on ussoccer.com with the game kicking off at midday AEST on Saturday.