The U.S. U-17 National Team recorded a commanding 5-0 win against Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. And contributing to that performance was Timbers Academy’s Akil Watts, who made his first start of the tournament and played all 90 minutes.
Watts – playing right back – helped the U.S. backline hold Paraguay to just a single shot on goal during the contest as the team picked up its third shutout of the tournament.
He also chipped in on the attack, playing a key role in the United States’ third goal. Watts connected with Ayo Akinola on an overlapping run down the flank. He rounded his defender and found Josh Sargent in the box with a crisp pass. Sargent then set up Andrew Carleton for the score.
With the victory, the U.S. moves on to the Quarterfinal, where they’ll face England’s U-17s on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India. The match will kick at 7:30 a.m. (Pacific) and be televised live on FS2 and Telemundo.
