Courtesy: Our Sports Central

Wave Heavily Represented On Pan Am Games Team

MILWAUKEE, WI (July 11, 2007) -- Four Milwaukee Wave players are among the 12-man roster for the United States futsal team, which heads to Brazil next week for the sport's first appearance in the Pan American Games.

Goalkeepers Nick Vorberg and Brett Phillips join defenders Joe Hammes, a Cedarburg native, and Troy Dusosky on the squad, chosen by Wave and U.S. national team head coach Keith Tozer. The Americans open pool play in Rio de Janeiro on July 23 against Argentina.

Futsal is indoor soccer played on a court surface with no walls. There are four field players, instead of five as in the Major Indoor Soccer League, and one keeper. Brazil, as host of the games, selected futsal as a special exhibition sport.

Eight teams will compete in two groups, with the U.S. drawn with Argentina, Ecuador and Costa Rica. The U.S. will play its group matches on consecutive days, beginning July 23. Placement matches will then be played on July 27 and 28, with all eight teams playing five games each.

The 12-player roster includes five players - Phillips, Pat Morris, Jamar Beasley, John Ball and Lee Tschantret - who were part of the U.S. team that finished seventh at the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

All 12 players on the roster play in the Major Indoor Soccer League. The 2006-07 MISL-champion Philadelphia KiXX send two players, in Morris and player/coach Don D'Ambra. John Ball is playing in the United Soccer Leagues First Division this summer with the Rochester Raging Rhinos.

The U.S. has a 2-2-1 record all-time vs. Argentina, including a close-fought 2-1 loss at the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Cup. The U.S. has a 2-0-0 record vs. Costa Rica, with victories coming at the CONCACAF Futsal Tournament in 1996 and 2004. The U.S. will face Ecuador for the first time.


The U.S. has a 0-4-0 record in 2007 after international trips to face Brazil and Spain, and losing twice to each opponent. Spain is reigning World Champion, while Brazil finished in third place in 2004 and are regarded as the best team in the Americas.

The U.S. has played more matches in Brazil than in any country, including the U.S., and will play its 25th all-time match in the nation that invented the game on July 23 when the tournament opens.

U.S. Futsal Pan-American Games Team

Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nick Vorberg (Milwaukee Wave), Brett Phillips (Milwaukee Wave)

DEFENDERS (3): Pat Morris (Philadelphia KiXX), Joe Hammes (Milwaukee Wave), Troy Dusosky (Milwaukee Wave)

MIDFIELDERS (4): Jamar Beasley (Detroit Ignition), John Ball (Rochester Raging Rhinos - USL1), Matt Stewart (Chicago Storm), Denison Cabral (Baltimore Blast)

FORWARDS (3): Don D'Ambra (Philadephia KiXX), Enrique Tovar (California Cougars), Lee Tschantret (Baltimore Blast)

U.S. Futsal Schedule - Pan-American Games

Date Opponent Venue

July 23 Argentina Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 24 Ecuador Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 25 Costa Rica Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 27 Placement Match Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 28 Placement Match Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)



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