Rio Maior, Portugal - July 4 - The USA Men's Youth National Team finished their history making run at the World Aquatics Youth World Championship earlier today in Portugal, earning silver following a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Croatia in penalties. The silver medal marks the highest ever finish for Team USA at this event and equals the best-ever finish for a USA Water Polo Men's National Team at a World Championship, matching silver from the Junior World Championship last summer. Jett Taylor scored four goals in regulation to lead the offense with Rafael Abraham-Suarez recording eight saves in cage. Team USA finishes play in Portugal with a 4-2 record. Watch a full replay of the match by clicking here. 

Kai Kaneko got the scoring started for Team USA with a 1-0 lead early in a period that saw a ton of offense. Croatia answered by scoring three of the next four for a 3-2 lead. Connor Colman tied the game moments later but Croatia went ahead 5-3 after two straight scores. Tyler Anderson got one back for Team USA but Croatia had the final word in the opening quarter to claim a 6-4 advantage after one. Croatia went in front 7-4 and 8-5 in the second quarter before Team USA made a surge. Jett Taylor delivered on a penalty and a power play strike to make it 8-7 going into halftime. 

Croatia came out hot start the third quarter reeling off three straight scores for an 11-7 lead with 5:35 to go in the quarter. Kaneko would score two of the next three to pull Team USA back within three at 12-9 with 2:22 to play in the third. Jackson Shaw followed with a goal and then Jett Taylor added another with time about to expire in the third and the United States had fought back to within one at 12-11 headed to the fourth.

Dexter Black delivered the equalizer two minutes in the quarter but Croatia came right back with a goal for a 13-12 lead with 5:36 to play. With under four minutes to play Tyler Anderson stepped up with a huge strike to knot the score at 13-13. Then, with just 1:16 to play, Aiden Shin converted on a power play goal to give the United States their first lead of the match since 1-0 at 14-13. It wouldn't hold however as Croatia made one last push, tying the score at 14-14 with just seconds to spare. A final possession from Team USA didn't result in a goal and the match headed to a shootout.

The shootout was just as tense as regulation. Croatia built a two goal lead early in the shootout as Kaneko had his first attempt blocked. Team USA then brought on backup goalkeeper Jonas Ransford who secured a huge block to allow Team USA to keep pace. Each side would follow with a miss and Anderson scored to close out the traditional five rounds of shootout and force additional rounds. Both sides scored through three bonus round but then in the fourth Croatia converted and Team USA missed confirming victory for Croatia.

Team USA went 3/7 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties in regulation while Croatia went 4/6 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties in regulation. 

Scoring - Stats
USA 20 (4, 3, 4, 3) (6)
CRO 21 (6, 2, 4, 2) (7)
Saves - USA - R. Abraham-Suarez 8 - CRO - M. Bajurin 4, N. Batos 3
6x5 - USA - 3-7 - CRO - 4/6
Penalties Regulation - USA - 2-2 - CRO - 1/1