LISBON, Portugal – The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team tied Poland 1-1 in its first match at the Lisbon International Tournament.

Poland scored off a header from a free kick in the first half. In the second half, U.S. midfielder Alejandro Guido sent in a cross that was flicked near the six-yard box by Jack McBean. The ball landed in the path of forward Ben Spencer, who volleyed it into the net to tie the game.

The U.S. will next face Slovakia on Thursday, May 24, before rounding out the group against host Portugal on Saturday, May 26.

The U.S. U18 Men’s National team does not compete in any world championships, but instead serves as a transition between the U-17 and U-20 Men’s National Teams, which both compete in World Cup cycles. In 2012, the U-18 MNT will be comprised of players born on or after Jan. 1, 1994, making them eligible to compete in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.