Sporting Kansas CityHomegrownGianluca Busio scored as the US Under-17 national team wrapped up the 2018 International Friendlies tournament with a 1-1 draw vs. Brazil in Lakewood Ranch, Florida on Sunday evening.
Capping a well-worked sequence, Busio volleyed home an inviting endline delivery from New York City FC academy product Giovanni Reyna to give the hosts the lead on the stroke of halftime, a just reward for a strong first-half display. But Brazil’s Ivonei came off the bench to whip home a gorgeous free-kick strike with his first touch of the game in the 84th minute, grabbing the young Selecao a share of the points.
The result leaves the US with a win and two draws at the tournament, not quite enough to catch Portugal, who defeated Turkey 4-1 in Sunday’s opening game and were crowned the event’s winners at the end of the doubleheader.
MLS clubs and academies were heavily represented in Sunday's starting XI with Busio, Damian Las (Chicago Fire), Joe Scally and Tayvon Gray (NYCFC), Kobe Hernandez (LA Galaxy), Griffin Yow (D.C. United) and Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas) all featuring.
