Pittsburgh Futsal Become Tri-Champions of Region 1 US Futsal





Before reading the article, have a look at the new Region 1 Champions (and 2004 US National champions) roster!

Pittsburgh Futsal Clube

Matt Bordogna - Goalkeeper (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
Marcus Reis - Defender (Salvador, BA, BRA)
Danilo Vittorato - Defender (São Paulo, SP, BRA)
Monteiro Santos - Flank (São Paulo, SP, BRA)
Daneil McKeil - Flank (Trinidad)
Dave Schoefield - Flank (Preston, ENG)
Marcus Guimarães - Flank (Salvador, BA, BRA)
Vitor Brito - Pivot (Salvador, BA, BRA)
Pat McCafee - Pivot (Pittsburgh, PA, USA)

Coach: Bill Truschel (Pittsburgh, PA, USA)


(Monroeville, PA 21 Feb 2005) In a final that contained every element of a South American classico, Pittsburgh Futsal defeated New England Futsal (Coached by Bill Sampaio) in the final 2 seconds of overtime by the score of 5-4. On their home court in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, the current national champions of Futsal won dramatically over the impressive challengers from the Boston area. Several hundred fans in attendance witnessed two lead changes, a bench clearing scuffle on the court, fantastic saves and a final 10 seconds that capped the perfect game with the perfect ending.

Both teams had strong Brazilian influence. The New England team consisted of a 100% Brazilian roster and Pittsburgh countered with 3 Bahianos, 2 Paulistas, a crafty little Englishman, a giant of man from Trinidad and two Americans including a goalie, Matt Bordogna, who would prove himself as the MVP of the game and the tournament. The game began much as it would remain throughout with good possession, lots of player movement and forays towards the opposition's goal with explosive skill. After a couple of New England chances in the initial stages and against the run of play, Danilo Vittorato, a fixo born and raised in São Paulo, produced an absolute golaso out of nothing. Near midfield on the 28 meter court he dribbled to his right and shot a missile to the far upper corner of the goal. The shot gave New England goalie, Julio Cesar Franco or Julinho, no chance. After the game, Danilo described the goal as the kind of goal that happens only once a year, but for some who witnessed the opener they might say his assessment was greatly underestimated. The first goal changed the game from its initial calm and calculated flavor to a more open encounter. With more purpose, the New England team increased the pace and pressure and after only a few minutes they scored the equalizer that they deserved. New England, pivô, Shampoo, started the play on the right and dribbled to the corner. He passed the ball squarely across and despite the fact that Marcus Reis (Chipa) had a good mark, the New England ala charging the middle managed to poke it goal wards from close range. Erman Taibuna's shot was too quick to defend and the ball bulged the net.

After the goal it was more New England pressure. Mistakes by Pittsburgh threatened to change the score line over the next several minutes only to see Bordogna turn away shot after shot. Chances were mounting through long counterattacking passes from Julinho and New England fixo, Alexandre, however, the goal came not from a counterattack but from a well designed dribble straight through the center and with the defense in a seemingly comfortable stronghold. New England was able to advance the ball low to the pivô, Taibuna, and in an instant; he turned and shot hard and high against the advancing Pittsburgh goalie. The shot took the keeper by surprise who expected the shot to be placed on either of his posts, but the ball rose quickly and stayed within the frame of the goal to give New England the lead at half time 2-1.

As the teams reversed, the game remained as entertaining as it began. Both teams were confident to dribble at all locations of the floor and both teams played attacking Futsal with lots of wonderful rotation desperately trying to overcome the magic of two extremely talented goalkeepers. Pushing hard to gain an equalizer, the Pittsburgh team were caught by a counterattack. Shampoo received the ball on the right side behind the defense and took it cleanly and quickly to goal. He made a deft little chip over the right foot of Bordogna and the score line was 3-1 in favor of New England with 12 minutes to go. At this point, the hearts of the national champions showed no quit and the local fans in support did their best to bring the team back with loud voice. Exhaustion began to play a role for both teams as substitutions were limited. It was at 8:37 left that the game's complexion would change dramatically.

André Monteiro Santos (Monty) dribbled the ball in the New England end; he was harshly fouled by the talented New England ala, Bruno. It was the sixth foul, it resulted in Bruno's second yellow card of the game and the 10 meter penalty spot was sought out. In protest the New England team remained, obstructing the referee from placing the ball. Both teams converged on the spot. The ball was pulled out and kicked harshly back at the group by an unhappy New England player. The ball struck the Pittsburgh #10, Monty, and at that point benches, some fans and all of the players sprinted toward the offending player. The incident had the potential for an injurious disaster not only for the participants, but for the game that had remained so beautiful. However, the players, being so generally fond and respectful of their opponents threw no punches and merely argued at the scene. After several minutes and a lot of excitement, 2 yellow cards were handed out, 1 for Taibuna and 1 for Pat McAfee of Pittsburgh for unsporting behavior. Play would commence with Danilo Vittorato taking the 10 meter penalty and 8:37 remaining in the game. New England were allowed only 3 players on the court because of Bruno's ejection and if Danilo missed, Pittsburgh would have had a man advantage for 2 minutes. The kick was not to be saved. Shaving the bottom of the post to the left of Julinho, the ball stumbled around the netted cage and in extreme jubilation the team celebrated together near the Pittsburgh bench.

Now it was New England's turn to hold on in defense. With the ticking clock on the side of the visitors, it seemed possible that the two time defending regional champions would fall short this time, but again the talents of Monty produced another lunge foul from a New England defender and a second 10 m kick was awarded. There was no argument this time. Danilo stepped to the spot seeking his third and equalizing goal of the game. The shot was on mark, but Julinho was there to smother it. The shot was toward the same post as before only slightly higher and Julinho judged it well with a quick move to his left. With the ball buried in his arms, the diminutive goalie, gave forth a roar. There were 4 minutes of time left and the score remained 3-2 in favor of New England.

Slightly more than minute ran by and Pittsburgh coach, Bill Truschel, used his second half time-out. The team returned to the feild with Monty, David Schoefield (Danilo Ingleterra), Danilo Vittorato, Chipa and the goalie had been replaced by an extra attacker in the person of Marcus Guimarães (Pata). The 5 men worked well together and within 30 seconds produced a good opportunity that was stopped by Julinho. Julinho played the ball short but the pressure from the four Pittsburgh players up top quickly regained possession for Pittsburgh and the ball was quickly cycled back to Pata at mid court. After a few short passes back and forth Pata moved the ball to Danilo Ingleterra on the left, he chipped the ball across through an overshifted New England defense and an open Monty Santos volleyed home a cracker of a goal past Julinho at his near post. The scoreline was even with 1:11 remaining and Bordogna was put back in goal.

With momentum on the side of the home team, it should have meant victory or an easy path to extra time for Pittsburgh, but this dramatic tale took another twist at the death of the second half. Pittsburgh lost the ball in the center of the court with nothing in support, Chipa hurried from his lateral position to pressure 3 New England players against only Bordogna. There were only 10 seconds left in the game and New England had gotten the break they needed to end it in regulation. It was Shampoo, dead center with the ball and nothing but Bordogna stranded on his line. He shot the ball hard and high and gave Bordogna little chance to save the game, but not then, not there, Bordogna made the improbable save falling back and reaching over his head to tip the ball over.

The atmosphere in the arena was electric for overtime and the play on the field that would ensue was every bit as entertaining leading up to the finish that would be almost unbelievable. The tie was broken quickly in the first 5 minute overtime. Monty, played a long ball over the top of the group to Pata, who advanced with his back toward Julinho’s goal. Pata played a beautiful touch on to Danilo Ingleterra who was advancing on the right side of the field. Danilo Ingleterra took the ball out of the air and volleyed a rifle right through the legs of Julinho.

The Pittsburgh lead was not meant to last as the first bit of controversy was introduced in the game. Just before the first overtime period was over, New England were awarded a penalty for a supposed foul committed by Matt Bordogna in his penalty area. The attacker received little contact from the approaching goalie as he controlled the ball, but the penalty was given and the New England #10 stepped up to shoot from the 6 meter spot. The shot was hard and to Bordogna’s right. It slid underneath his diving frame and the first overtime concluded as it had began with two teams on equal goals. The foul count was 6-6.

The teams traded punches in the second overtime as both anticipated that penalties were inevitable, careful not to commit the decisive foul. With 30 seconds left, New England’s #10, was penalized with encroachment on a free kick resulting in his second yellow card. Pittsburgh would have a 1 man advantage for the brief remainder of the game. Quickly a Pittsburgh shot was attempted but saved by Julinho. He tried to throw the ball the length of the court to his advancing left ala, but Bordogna was there to meet the New England player as the clock indicated only 10 seconds left. The tackle had seen the New England player fall to the ground, pleading for a foul, but it wasn’t given. Chipa played the ball in quickly up the line to Danilo Ingleterra, the quick thinking start by Chipa had resulted in a 3 v 2 with lots of space for the English Danilo to control the ball, and he fired a shot that careened off of the chest of Julinho and into the midsection of Vitor Brito of Pittsburgh waiting at the far post. Vitor controlled the ball with his belly and surely directed it across the goal line. The final two seconds slipped off of the clock as New England players searched for answers and the Pittsburgh team was joined by hundreds of joyful fans rushing the court to congratulate the three time champions of Region 1.