The second annual Team USA vs. The World football game played on February 2 in Austin, Texas, will be broadcast on NFL Network this Friday, February 11, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Team USA, the 19-and-under roster of 45 college-bound standouts assembled by USA Football, defeated the World Team, selected from eight countries by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) 21-14 in unseasonably frigid Texas temperatures on February 2.
Team USA surrendered its first touchdown in five outings since the program began in 2009, giving up a kickoff return and reception for touchdowns as the World Team, led by Canadian head coach Greg Marshall, showed that players from American Samoa to Sweden and Austria to Japan can excel on the gridiron.
“There’s really nothing that compares with this experience, there’s nothing that’s even close,” said Team USA Head Coach Darren Allman from his high school’s home stadium. “There couldn’t be a better cultural experience for us and when you put on top of that being able to be on the same field with players from all over the world, for us in our profession, it doesn’t come any better than that. It’s been an invaluable experience for me and our other coaches.”
Team USA raced to a 21-6 lead by the third quarter, steadily scoring seven points in each quarter before the World Team threatened a late and improbable comeback that fell just short.
“They are as good of people I have ever coached,” said World Team head coach Marshall. “In one short week we have become very close and really bonded as a team. Yes we want to win the game, but we also want to have a great experience and come away with some lifelong friends. Our kids played hard all the way through. I am very proud of this team.”
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC Offseason Update: Alberta DB aiming to return better than ever after injury
