In the second game of a double-header, the U18 MNT turned in a solid performance against Ventura County Fusion Tuesday night, but still lost 2-1 to the older PDL team.

Still, the one-point loss was much easier for the U18s to swallow than the 6-1 thumping they took against Chivas USA earlier in the day.

U18 Head coach Mike Matkovich said his team still has a long way to go, but he sees plenty of positives to be taken from this game.

“It was a decent night for us,” he said. “We had chances, but didn’t capitalize, and when you’re playing against older teams like the Fusion, ‘decent’ won’t cut it. So it’s a disappointment from that angle, but there were a lot of positives in this game, and we can build on some of the things we did tonight.”

Team USA more than held its own in the first half, and went into intermission leading 1-0 after a strike from midfielder Daniel Garcia.

But Fusion’s superior size and athleticism began to wear on the U18s, and a barrage of long balls and crisp combinations led to two second-half goals that were enough for Fusion to win.

Here’s a look at who shined the brightest for Team USA:

Left back Patrick Mullins used his speed and size to win balls and initiate the attack from the back. He also showed off his versatility by moving to an attacking midfield role in the second half.

Center back Anthony Carerras showed great size and strength in the air as he repeatedly won tough 50/50 balls for his team. Fellow center back Boyd Okwuonu had full command of the defense, and was patient and smart with the ball at his feet.

Jordan McCrary used great quickness and ball control to move the ball up and down the wing, and was a dynamic threat along the right side. He also showed great recovery speed on the retreat.

Forward Victor Chavez showed good strength and the ability to hold the ball up while teammates tracked up the field to bolster the attack.

Daniel Garcia was extremely quick and shifty along the left wing, and was the U18s’ most dangerous individual attacker. He showed great hustle and tackling ability on defense, and was a constant option on the offensive end of the field.

Holding midfielder Sean Davis was calm and composed and played a number of pretty through balls to forwards streaking up the field.

Winger Miguel Lopez had a solid all-around game, combining well in the midfield, defending and moving well off the ball, and constantly communicating with his teammates.

Jonathan Top struggled to find an offensive rhythm as the lone forward in the second half, but showed great hustle as he pressured the Fusion defense in the attacking third.

Central midfielder Daniel Metzger had a solid game and was very creative distributing the ball all over the field.

Villyan Bijev moved well off the ball and created a few attacking opportunities by himself, but struggled otherwise to get involved in the game.

Kyle Emerson gave the U18s a burst of energy as a sub, winning tough balls across the defensive midfield.

Team USA is back in action at the Home Depot Center Friday morning, when they face another older team in the Cal-Berkeley men.

While the game is likely to provide another stern physical test, Coach Matkovich understands how to prepare his team for a challenge.

“As a younger team,” he said, “I think fitness and physicality can sometimes catch up to us. But hey, no excuses. That’s part of the process. It’s about learning lessons, and that’s exactly why we’re here.”

U18 MNT Starting Lineup by Position:

GOALKEEPER: Keith Cardona (NY Red Bulls Academy; Glen Rock N.J.)

DEFENDERS (4): Anthony Carerras (BW Gottschee; Valley Stream, N.Y.), Marquez Fernandez (Baltimore Bays Chelsea; Baltimore, Md.), Patrick Mullins (Maryland; Metairie, La.), Boyd Okwuonu (FC Dallas Juniors; Edmund, Okla.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Jordan McCrary (Concorde Fire; Marietta, Ga.), Sean Davis (NY Red Bulls Academy; Holmdel, N.J.), Daniel Garcia (FC Dallas Juniors; Dallas, Texas), Miguel Lopez (Lonestar Aztex Academy; Alton, Texas), Daniel Metzger (PDA; Holmdel, N.J.)
 
FORWARD: Victor Chavez (Real So Cal; Fontana, Calif.)

Substitutes by Position:
GOALKEEPER: Jonathan Kempin (Kansas City Wizards; Leawood, Kans.)
MIDFIELDER: Kyle Emerson (Wake Forest; Cypress, Texas)
FORWARDS (3): Villyan Bijev (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Jonathan Top (FC Dallas Juniors; Ft. Worth, Texas)