id2 National Selection boys team rallies late to tie FC Porto

PORTO, Portugal (April 18, 2024) – In the third game of the 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour, the id2 boys team tied FC Porto’s U-14 academy team, 3-3. The game kicked off the second half of the international trip in Portugal after spending five days in Lisbon.

The id2 National Selection boys team again played three 25-minute periods, but unlike their previous two games, the Americans surrendered goals and faced an early deficit. FC Porto scored in the 7th and 16th minutes, but Charlie Winship (Woodside Crush) scored his second goal in as many days in the 21st minute to spark the id2 team going into the first break.

FC Porto extended its lead in the 43rd minute, but the id2 National Selection boys refused to go away, scoring four minutes later to bring the deficit to 3-2. Nathaniel Houston (Sporting Columbus) drew a penalty inside the box in a scramble, and Jax Padgett (Association Football Club) converted. Finally, in dramatic fashion, Padgett scored again in the 68th minute off an assist from Deshnick Nkeh (FC Sonora) for what would be the final score: 3-3.

The 2024 id2 National Selection boys team faces four worthy challengers in Portugal, splitting its time between Lisbon and Porto:

• April 15 vs. Real Sport Clube
• April 17 vs. Sporting CP
• April 18 vs. FC Porto
• April 19 vs. Lomarense Ginásio Clube

The matches take the teams to several sites in Portugal, which speaks to the value of cultural immersion on this trip. These clubs offer unique training styles and developmental experiences that the id2 National Selection teams will see first-hand. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to matches and training sessions, though; the American delegation will also attend professional games and tour stadiums in Lisbon and Porto.

The 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour (boys) officially began April 10 with a two-day domestic camp in New Jersey before traveling to Lisbon for the first half of the Portugal stay and then Porto for the remainder. The tour, which concludes April 21, represents the final progression of the current id2 age group cycle targeting players born in 2010.

The id2 National Selection girls squad recently completed its tour of Spain, in which it faced a quartet of opponents in Barcelona and Madrid. For results of the girls trip, please visit the 2024 id2 International Tours web page and browse Instagram for video and photo content.

The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike. For the international tour, all travel costs are also covered by US Club Soccer. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.

Follow @USClubSoccer throughout the 2024 id2 National Selection International Tour on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube for coverage. A highlight video of each game will be available on social media.