CARSON, CALIF - Two encouraging performances wrapped up the United States U18 Men’s National Team training camp here Saturday.

The U18s took game one over Hollywood United with a 3-0 shutout before dropping to Orange County Blue Star, 2-1, on a late-game goal by Christian Gonzalez.

“The team is playing guys that are more athletic, bigger, and stronger than them,” U.S. U18 MNT Head Coach Mike Matkovich said.” They are not used to that, and had to deal with them.“

Hollywood United wasn’t much of a challenge for the U.S., especially in the second half. After a scoreless first 45 minutes, the Americans found the back of the early in the second half after Walker Zimmerman of Georgia, a Furman recruit, put the ball in the back of the net from a corner kick.

Later Jonathan Top capped the match scoring twice off rebounds given up by Hollywood’s goalkeeper.

“As the game wore on Hollywood United got tired and we got better. We had a lot of the ball and they did a lot of chasing,” Matkovich said. “Things opened up for us and we found a couple of goals. It felt that we were in control of that game the whole time.”

In large part due to the work of Daniel Metzger and Jalen Robinson playing in the center midfield behind Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler. Metzger and Robinson had great composure and either one could interchange positions and still be threatening. Robinson had great vision switching the field, and point of attack, constantly finding Khiry Shelton or Vandermaas-Peeler along the flanks with long passes.

Left back Juan Pablo Ocegueda and left midfielder Victor Pineda used their speed to take on the opposing defense, creating great options for crosses or diagonal passes.

Jordan McCrary, Bryan Gallego, Zimmerman, and Ocegueda had great minutes in the back line, disrupting most attacks and adding to the offense. McCrarv and Ocegueda exploiting the sidelines and Zimmerman scoring.

“This group was more of the guys that were playing a little better than the rest and we wanted see how they would look like together,” Matkovich explained. “It was good but they need more of a challenge, we need to get exposed and see things differently.”

The second group was, by large part, mismatched with Blue Star. The two center backs, Grant Silvester and Alec Cochran, had trouble dealing with the lone Blue Star forward’s pace. They paid the consequences when Amani Walker ripped a shot, after peeling from his defender, past U.S. keeper Andrew Harris.

Goal aside, Harris still showed promise, saving a couple of shots and keeping the game close through the first half. In the second half, Coach Matkovich moved up Sean Okoli to the target forward spot and slid Vardar’s Caleb Stanko behind him.

“Sean gives the ability to stretch the game out,” Matkovich said. “He is a handful and uses his body to free space.”

The move worked, a low-cross found an unmarked Stanko, and with most of the attention on Sean, was able to bury the ball for the 1-1 equalizer. The defense would have a lapse of concentration in the last 10 minutes of the game leading to the game-winner.

“That’s why we play the older guys,” Matkovich explained. “It’s these lessons these guys need at this age and we don’t get that playing youth players.”

But from the back four shined Malcolm Harris of Baltimore Bays. One of the younger players and new to camp, he had his best night containing pressure on the right side and trying to run up at players from the defensive third.

“Tonight was his better night, he seemed to be playing with more confidence and is a pretty complete player,” Matkovich said. “He had good defensive stops, got up and down the field well, and his passing was good. He’s a ’94, so we’ll keep looking at him.”

Taking into account the complete body of work, coach held several players in good regards. Zimmerman, Shelton, Vandermaas-Peeler, and Luis Rendon impressed, taking into account it was their first time with the U18’s in training camp.

The next step for this team will be the Nike Showcase this week. From there Matkovich will select 20 players that will head to Israel to face France, Germany, and Israel, between December 10 and 18.

Lineup vs. Hollywood United

Andrew Wolverton, Jordan McCary, Walker Zimmerman, Bryan Gallego, Juan Pablo Ocegueda, Khiry Shelton, Daniel Metzger, Jalen Robinson, Victory Pineda, Cooper Vandrmaas-Peeler, Luis Rendon

Subs: Andrew Harris, Tyler Miller, Marcus Salandy-Defour, Will Trapp, Jonathan Top, Michael Ambrose, Connor Hallisey

Lineup vs. OC Blue Star

Andrew Harris, Malcom Harris, Grant Silvester, Alec Cochran, Vlad Lekarev, Uvaldo Luna-Martinez, Miguel Lopez, Brian James, Amadou Dia, Sean Okoli, Xavier Silva

Subs: Tyler Miller, McAmos Paye, Seth Moses, Caleb Stanko, Verneri Valimaa, Daniel Cuevas