DUBLIN, Ireland (September 29, 2024) - The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team conceded a late free kick to hosts Ireland to fall 1-0 Sunday afternoon, taking a split from the pair of friendly match played in Dublin after Friday’s 3-1 win against Scotland.
Under typical chilly, overcast and then rainy fall conditions at the AUL Complex, the teams battled for 50 scoreless minutes - with both goalkeepers making numerous game-saving stops - before Ireland’s Dylan Sheridan slotted home a free kick from close range for the game’s only goal with eight minutes left to play.
The USA made two changes from the Starting VII that defeated Scotland Friday, with Nick Mayhugh and Jacob Crumbley replacing Ben Lindau and Cameron DeLillo, who were unavailable Sunday. John Sullivan and Wes Pincince changed roles, with Sullivan - serving as captain for the first time - shifting up to midfield and Pincince dropping to the backline.
Much of the first half was played between the boxes, with neither side forcing much from the other. The USA created a beautiful chance at the quarter-hour mark, with left back Frankie Lowery advancing and combining with Hammond down the middle on a give-and-go that resulted in Hammond’s final shot on goal denied by a great effort from Ireland goalkeeper Sean Daly.
Ireland then came close twice just minutes later, first with USA goalkeeper Marc Estrella making a low save on Carl McKee’s effort, then with Pincince clearing a ball off the line that McKee put past Estrella.
The ‘keepers continued trading saves from there on out. Daly denied another fine effort from Hammond, and down the other end Estrella punched away a near-post shot from Ryan Nolan.
Ireland then nearly opened the scoring minutes before the break when Sheridan hit a low free kick destined to the left side net. But Estrella dove fully to his right to push the ball off the right post.
Neither side made a change to begin the second half. Estrella came up big again early on. Sheridan advanced down the left and found Charlie Byrne across the box, but Estrella kept his feet and got down quick to keep Byrne’s attempt out of goal.
Hammond then appeared ready to break down the middle, but was tripped just past midfield by McKee, who was shown yellow.
Then it was Ireland’s Daly’s turn to keep the USA off the board. Lowery got a nice flick off from the right side that Daly tipped over the crossbar, then the Irish ‘keeper made a quick reaction save off Crumbley’s driven, lunging header from 10 yards out. Lastly, he denied Hammond again as he nearly finished a nice build up that started in the back with Estrella to Pincince to Lowery to Hammond up top.
Ireland’s Sheridan then ripped a free kick from the left side of the box through the wall to the upper near corner for the game’s only goal, as Ireland’s defense held the USA’s final efforts down the stretch.
-U.S. MEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: United States Men’s CP National Team vs. Ireland
Date: September 29, 2024
Competition: CP International Friendly Series
Venue: AUL Complex, Dublin, Ireland
Attendance: —
Kickoff: 8:00 a.m. ET
Weather: 48 degrees; Rainy
| Scoring Summary |
1 |
2 |
F |
| USA |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| IRL |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| IRL - Dylan Sheridan |
52nd minute |
Lineups:
USA: 12-Marc Estrella, 2-Frankie Lowery, 4-Wes Pincince, 5-John Sullivan (captain), 17-Nick Mayhugh (16-Gavin Kohner, 56’), 3-Jacob Crumbley, 14-Shea Hammond
Substitutes Not Used: 12-Brixton Blasi, 7-Chileshe Chitulangoma, 8-Michael Ruiz, 11-Kevin McCandlish, 15-Kyle Montgomery
Not Available: 6-Jacob Kaplan, 9-Cameron DeLillo, 10-Ben Lindau, 13-Josh Brunais
Head Coach: Stuart Sharp
IRL: 16-Sean Daly, 13-Dyland Sheridan, 15-Warren Morrissey (20-Conor Halpin, 48), 17-Joe Markey, 19-Charlie Byrne, 22-James Bateman, 24-Carl McKee (25-Ryan Nolan, 42’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12-Jack O’Sullivan,16-Mark Barry, 18-Darren Martin
Head coach: Mick Doyle
Misconduct Summary:
USA - Wes Pincince (caution) 27th minute
IRL - Carl McKee (caution) 37
USA - Shea Hammond (caution) 39
USA - Nick Mayhugh (caution) 40
