Only two minutes of stoppage time stood between the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team and a CONCACAF crown.
Thanks to a 62nd minute goal from Andrew Carleton, the U17s led Mexico 1-0 in the dying moments of the qualifying final down in Panama.
But it was not to be.
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An unmarked Carlos Robles nodded home the equalizer in the 92nd minute, sending the game to penalty kicks. Ultimately, Mexico triumphed 5-4 on penalties, as U.S. substitute Akil Watts was the lone player that failed to convert from the spot.
Adding to the late heartbreak was a U.S. miss just two minutes prior to Robles' equalizer, as Christopher Goslin hit the post on a counter that could've put the game away.
With World Cup qualification already secured for both sides, Sunday's final was more about regional bragging rights and a shot at silverware than possessing any real kind of implications. Dig into three talking points from the loss below.
