Sargent and Weah, both 18, score as U.S. beats Bolivia 3-0

CHESTER, Pa. — Josh Sargent scored in his American debut, fellow 18-year-old Tim Weah added a goal in his second international match and a young United States team beat Bolivia 3-0 in an exhibition Monday night.

Walker Zimmerman put the Americans ahead in the 37th minute and Sargent doubled the lead in the 52nd. Weah, the son of former FIFA Player of the Year and current Liberia president George Weah, scored in the 59th.

Weah, born on Feb. 22, 2000, became the fourth-youngest American to score when he displaced Sargent, who was born two days earlier. Sargent’s goal was particularly memorable — with his back to the goal, he intercepted a pass over his head from the goalkeeper, played the ball to himself and put it in the net with a strong right-footed shot from about 11 yards.

With no World Cup to play for, interim U.S. coach Dave Sarachan went with youth. He gave six players their debuts, raising the total to 15 in four matches since the Americans were eliminated in qualifying. Defenders Erik Palmer-Brown and Antonee Robinson and goalkeeper Alex Bono joined Sargent as debutants in the starting lineup, and defender Matt Olosune and midfielder Keatan Parks entered on the second half.

Sargent, easily spotted because of his bright red hair, robbed Carlos Lampe when the goalkeeper was returning a pass to defender Luis Haquin.

MATT SLOCUM/ASSOCIATED PRESS The United States’ Rubio Rubin, center, heads the ball past Bolivia’s Carlos Anez, right, as Josh Sargent looks on during an international friendly match Monday in Chester, Pa.