Courtesy: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


Spain offers big test

Milwaukee Wave coach Keith Tozer and four Wave players are part of the U.S. futsal delegation to Spain, where the national team will meet the reigning World and European champion in two matches this week.

Goalkeepers Brett Phillips and Nick Vorberg and defenders Joe Hammes and Troy Dusosky will represent the Wave, as the U.S. futsal squad continues preparations for the Pan American Games.

Eight players who played for the U.S. against Brazil last month will be included in the trip to Spain, including reigning Major Indoor Soccer League most valuable player Jamar Beasley.

Tozer's team was blanked in two matches against Brazil's national futsal side. He must name a 12-man Pan Am Games roster for the U.S. five-a-side team by a June 22 deadline. The competition is scheduled July 13-29 in Rio de Janeiro.

The U.S. will play Spain on Wednesday in Lucena, and the second match is scheduled on Friday in Andujar.

"Spain is definitely an experienced side, with very good attacking players," Tozer said. "They're a very technical side, and tactically very sound."

"I'm extremely happy the federation (U.S. Soccer Federation) has gone out of their way to get us these games. It's an unbelievable experience for our futsal team."

Hammes was the only Wave player to make the Brazil trip last month. Dusosky, Phillips and Vorberg have previous experience with the national team, and Phillips was named the most valuable player of the 2005 CONCACAF championship as the U.S. won the gold medal.

Andrew Gregor, who converted a penalty kick to give the Portland Timbers a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact in a USL match on Friday, is also making the trip with the U.S. five-a-side team.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com