This month in U.S. Futsal National Team History…
January 6-15, 1989

USA CAPTURES BRONZE MEDAL AT FIRST-EVER FIFA FIVE-A-SIDE
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN HOLLAND

After three appearances in international indoor soccer invitational tournaments, the U.S. competed in their first-ever FIFA Five-A-Side (now Futsal) World Championship in the Netherlands (Holland) from January 6-15, 1989.

Head Coach John Kowalski (Sewickly, Pa.) led the USA to a bronze medal at the world championships after winning six of eight matches.

“It’s a tribute to everyone on this team,” said Kowalski after the tournament. “This was an all-out effort and the players deserve every credit for beating some of the best soccer nations in the world.”

Kowalski’s roster was a blend of professional indoor players along with nine outdoor soccer members of the U.S. Men’s National Team that were in the process of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

The Americans opened the competition with a surprisingly 1:1 draw against Australia in Group D on Jan. 6, in Amsterdam.

Midfielder Eric Eichmann (Buerder Berman - Germany), who had the first goal in the program’s history three years earlier, notched the first U.S. score at the world championships.

The USA got on the winning track in the second game of group play with a 5:1 victory over Zimbabwe on Jan. 7, in Arnhem. Forward Peter Vermes (Raba Eto - Hungary) had two goals, while midfielders Bruce Murray (FC Luzern - Switzerland), Tab Ramos (Brooklyn Italians) and defender Mike Windischmann (Brooklyn Italians) each had a tally in the win.

The Americans concluded the first round with a 4:1 win over Italy on Jan. 8, in Arnhem. Midfielder Jim Gabarra (Los Angeles Lazers - MISL) led the attack scoring twice and forward Brent Goulet (FC Bournemout - England) added another, while A.J. Lachowecki (Los Angeles Lazers - MISL) became the first-ever U.S. goalkeeper to score a goal at the world championships.

In the second round, the USA were placed in Group E along with three South American nations (Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay).

Goals by Vermes, Ramos and forward Julie Veee (San Diego Sockers - MISL) gave the Americans a 3:1 win over Argentina on Jan. 10, in Arnhem.

The U.S. earned their first-ever shutout in the program’s history with a 2:0 blanking of Paraguay on Jan. 11, in Arnhem. Vermes and Gabarra each scored for the USA, while Lachowecki posted the clean sheet in goal.

With a semifinal berth secured, the Americans ended the second round with a 5-3 victory over Brazil on Jan. 12, in Rotterdam. Eichmann, Gabarra, Goulet, Ramos and defender Doc Lawson (Dallas Sidekicks - MISL) all scored for the U.S., which won their fifth international game in a row and were unbeaten in their last nine overall matches.

The nine-game unbeaten streak came to an end in the semifinals as the USA dropped a 2:1 decision to the host Holland on Jan. 14, in Rotterdam. Gabarra had the only tally for the Americans in the loss.

The U.S. recovered quickly and captured the bronze medal with a thrilling 3:2 overtime victory over Belgium in the third-place game on Jan. 15, in Rotterdam. Windischmann’s tally along with Vermes’ two goals sparked the Americans’ comeback from a 2-1 deficit to the 3-2 win.

Written and compiled by Steven Torres
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