Youth & High School

Akpan sensational as U-20s ease to victory
January 18, 2007

With a hat-trick display, Harvard University's Andre Akpan made a dream debut for the USA Under-20s against Haiti on Wednesday.

In an impressive all-round display that also saw him hit the post twice, Akpan helped Thomas Rongen's side run out comfortable 4-1 winners in the opening game of the final qualifying tournament for the FIFA World Youth Championships, in Panama on Wednesday.

Andre Akpan (Harvard media relations)

"With it being my first cap with the Under-20 National Team, it's one of the best experiences I've had in soccer," Akpan told US Soccer's website. "I can't think of another game I've had that will stand out like this one. I've had hat-tricks before, but not in a game this important."

With Jozy Altidore and Connecticut native, Johann Smith, left on the bench, Akpan was given the start on his full international debut and the Texan took full advantage of the opportunity with a stirring display that featured goals on either side of half-time to ensure his coach will have a selection dilemma ahead of Friday's encounter with Guatemala.

In the seventh minute Akpan, who won Ivy League rookie of the Year honors after a first collegiate season in which he notched eleven goals and twelve assists, got on the end of a right-wing cross and powered a header towards goal from ten yards that the Haitian goalkeeper did well to push behind.

Playing up front alongside Sal Zizzo and Robbie Rogers, Akpan continued to be the focal point of the USA's attacks and, in the 26th minute, he got his first international goal when he flicked home a Rogers cross to put the Americans ahead. Three minutes later, he almost doubled his tally when he rattled the post with a crisp shot from another Rogers set-up.

With Haiti clearly second best to the vibrant American side, it was only a matter of time before Rongen's men doubled their lead. Akpan almost provided the second goal when he played a fine ball through to Zizzo in the 35th minute, only for the UCLA man to fire wide with only the keeper to beat.

Five minutes before the break, the lead-doubling goal came and Akpan was again involved. A Danny Szetela cross found the Crimson striker at the far post and, though Akpan's header hit the post and trickled along the line before being deflected into his own goal by the hapless Haiti netminder. Like all good strikers, Akpan claimed the strike as his own.

In the fiftieth minute, Akpan was involved in his side's third goal. Tim Ward did well to find Rogers in space on the left and the Maryland man's cross was cleverly dummied by Akpan at the near post, allowing Bryan Wallace to run onto the ball and fire home. Twelve minutes later, Rogers was the assister again as Akpan got his third when he was on hand to tuck away a shot from close range.

To keep his side fresh ahead of games on Friday and Sunday, Rongen made a number of changes, including introducing Amaechi Igwe, who last week was drafted by the Revolution. However, Akpan completed the full ninety minutes, showing impressive stamina in temperatures that hit the mid-80s at times.

Following the game, Akpan was just pleased to have been able to contribute:

"It was exciting, maybe a little nervous, but more exciting than anything else. I just wanted to go out there and have some impact on the game which I did I guess."