This month in U.S. Futsal National Team History January 13-17, 1998

AMERICANS FINISH THIRD IN 1998 MUNDIALITO DE FUTSAL IN BRAZIL

The U.S. Futsal National Team began 1998 with a newly appointed Head Coach Keith Tozer (Milwaukee, Wis.) and a third-place finish at the Mundialito de Futsal at the Arena Lindo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from January 13-17.

The USA opened the Third Mundialito de Futsal with a come-from-behind 2:1 victory over Italy thanks to tallies from defender Sean Bowers (Detroit Rockers - NPSL) and forward Wes Wade (Kansas City Attack - NPSL) on Jan. 13.

After falling behind 1:0 early in the second half, the Americans level the score a 1:1 on a tally by Bowers in the 35th minute of the match. His goal was followed up by Wade?s game-winner three minutes later.

In the second game, the U.S. once again came-from-behind and battled Argentina to a 4:4 draw on Jan. 14.

Wade had two more tallies for the USA, including the tying goal with four minutes remaining in the game against Argentina.

Down 4:2 midway through the second half, defender Rusty Troy (Dallas Sidekicks - PSA) began the American cameback with a goal in the 29th minute of the match. That tally set up Wade?s heroics at the 36th minute. Defenders Larry Julius (Harrisburg Heat - NPSL) had the other
U.S. goal in 26th minute mark.

In the third match of the Mundialito, a hat-trick by forward Mark Moser (St. Louis Ambush - NPSL) and tallies by Troy and forward Franklin McIntosh (St. Louis Ambush - NPSL) led the USA to a 5:4 victory over Belgium on Jan. 16.

The come-from-behind victory marked the third consecutive game in which the Americans trailed at some point in the second half, but came back to earn a result.

Trailing 3:1 early in the final stanza, Moser scored his second goal of the match to cut the deficit to 3:2 in the 22nd minute of play.

Troy, then tied the score 3:3 three minutes later, but the U.S. fell behind again as Belgium goal in the 30th minute.

A goal by McIntosh in the 39th minute made the score 4:4 and with just two seconds remaining, Moser completed the hat-trick scoring the game-winner via a penalty kick for the 5:4 USA victory.

The Americans concluded the 1998 Mundialito de Futsal dropping a 12:2 game to the host Brazil on Jan. 17.

Wade and forward Dan Donigan (Milwaukee Wave - NPSL) had the only tallies in loss for the U.S., who finished third in the overall standings via the goal differential tiebreaker with Argentina (+3 to ? 4).

1998 Mundialito de Futsal ? Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Final Results, Standings

Team (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Brazil (4, 4-0-0, 22:7, 12) *
Argentina (4, 2-1-1, 11:8, 7) *
U.S.A. (4, 2-1-1, 17:21, 7)
Italy (4, 1-3-0, 6:8, 3)
Belgium (4, 0-4-0, 8:13, 0)

* Advance to Championship Final

Jan. 13
Argentina - Belgium, 5:1
U.S.A. - Italy, 2:1

Jan. 14
Brazil - Belgium, 3:2
U.S.A. - Argentina, 4:4

Jan. 15
Brazil - Argentina, 3:1
Italy - Belgium, 4:1

Jan. 16
Brazil - Italy, 4:1
U.S.A. - Belgium, 5:4

Jan. 17
Brazil - U.S.A., 12:2
Argentina - Italy, 1:0

Jan. 18
Championship: Brazil - Argentina, 2:0

Written and compiled by Steven Torres.
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