International Soccer
Malik Jakupovic records brace in U.S. Under-17 blowout
Philadelphia Union II forward Malik Jakupovic had a brace off the bench for the United States U-17 team to cap a dominant 8-0 win over hosts St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the opening match of the 2026 Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers.
Jakupovic made it 7-0 when he rose above the defense to put home a cross from Paul Sokoloff in the 71st minute. Jakupovic added his second of the game, finishing off a pass from Myles Gardner to cap the scoring at 8-0 in the 87th.
Aaron Medina led the Americans with a perfect hat trick in the first half and Sokoloff also recorded a brace with a pair of second half goals.
Following the first match day, the U.S. sits atop Group F with three points and a +8 goal differential, edging ahead of Dominican Republic who defeated St. Kitts and Nevis 5-0 in the day’s earlier match. The U.S. next faces St. Kitts and Nevis on Saturday, Feb. 7 (7 p.m. ET; FS2). The winner of each of the eight Concacaf U-17 qualifying groups advance to 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this fall.
Lineups: 
USA: 1-James Donaldson; 3-Prince Forfor, 13-Daniel Barrett, 4-Tyson Espy, 5-Liam Vejrostek; 15-Peter Molinari (6-Landry Walker, 77), 8-Kaedren Spivey; 20-Max Steelman (7-Myles Gardner, 72), 18-Paul Sokoloff (Capt.) (10-Vicente Garcia, 72), 11-Will Ostrander (17-Mattheo Dimareli, 63); 19-Aaron Medina (9-Malik Jakupovic, 62)
Substitutes not used: 2-Eddie Chadwick, 12-Matthew White, 14-Astin Mbaye, 16-Roko Pehar, 21-Keller Abbott
Head coach: Alex Aldaz
VIN: 1-David Butler; 13-Shemron Gaymes (2-Adam Pierre, 64), 3-Damarion Peterson, 5-Xavroy Barbour, 20-Gideon Bess (14-Julian Hendrickson, 46); 6-Jolanson Charles, 8-Jonathan Keizer (17-Glenrick Hazell, 84); 15-Javier Friday, 12-Jaymor Williams, 7-Reggie Barbour (11-Beau Hoyte, 46); 9-Daemar Michael Substitutes not used: 4-Joshua King, 10-Luke Duncan, 18-Emon Gill, 19-Mario Taylor Jr. 21-Dinesh Grant
Head coach: Kendale Mercury
