FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Saturday, December 21, 2002) - The U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team rebounded from a 2-0 loss on Thursday to hand Canada a 2-0 defeat this afternoon, concluding the team's two game international series.  Forward Alecko Eskandarian scored both goals for the U.S. to increase his team-leading total in 2002 to six.

Eskandarian's first tally came in the 33rd minute, with the former University of Virginia standout headed home a cross from David Testo to score from 10 yards out past Canadian goalkeeper Dennis Kindel.  In the second half, Testo and Eskandarian hooked up again with the recent MAC Hermann Trophy recipient receiving a nice throughball from the University of North Carolina forward.  In collecting the ball at the top of area, Eskandarian cut the ball to his left foot and slammed a shot past Kindel to give the U.S. their 2-0 margin of victory.

The victory was the first of the year for the U-23s in international competition and improved their overall record to 1-2-2 in five matches. The following is the complete game report from the match:

- U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team Game Report -

Participants:  United States vs. Canada
Competition:  International Friendly
Venue: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Date: Dec. 21, 2002 – 10 a.m. ET
Weather: 78 degrees; sunny, clear

Scoring Summary:     1     2     F
USA                                 0     0     0
Canada                           2     0     2

USA – Alecko Eskandarian (David Testo)    33rd minute.
USA – Alecko Eskandarian (David Testo)    50.

Lineups:
USA: 18-Doug Warren (24-Josh Saunders, 46); 9-Jose Burciaga (23-Ricky Lewis, 61), 3-Matt Oliver (20-Scot Thompson, 61), 4-Alexander Yi, 2-Chris Wingert; 13-Justin Mapp (11-Brad Davis, 67), 10-Bobby Convey (19-Devin Barclay, 40), 21-Kyle Martino (7-Brian Carroll, 80), 8-Logan Pause; 12-Alecko Eskandarian (15-Roger Levesque, 83), 16-David Testo (22-Jason Thompson, 60).
Subs not used: Nelson Akwari, Kyle Beckerman, Kelly Gray, Ed Johnson, Ricky Lewis
Head Coach: Glenn “Mooch” Myernick.

CAN: 22-Dennis Kindel; 4-Victor Oppong (17-Gordon Chin, 46), 2-Adam Braz (16-Andres Arango, 76), 3-Winston Marshall; 5-Chris Williams (13-Nikolas Ledgerwood, 85), 8-Atiba Hutchinson, 7-Kevin Harmse, 6-Chris Pozniak - capt. (14-Mathieu Savaria, 46), 10-Sita-Taty Matondo; 9-Rob Friend (12-Justin Thompson, 50); 11-Maycoll Canizalez (15-Rocco Placentino, 70).
Subs Not Used: 1-Simon Rayner.
Head Coach: Bruce Twamley

Statistical Summary:    USA  /  CAN
Shots       3   /  3
Saves      3   /  1 
Corner Kicks     5   /   2
Fouls     18  /  20
Offside     1  /   2

Misconduct Summary:
CAN                           11th minute.
CAN                           31
CAN                           48.
USA – Alex Yi (caution)  54.
CAN                           75.
CAN                           85.