Courtesy: United States Olympic Committee Web Site

USA Futsal team to make Pan Am debut against Argentina

By Howard Thomas

U.S. Field Hockey Association

July 22, 2007

The sport of futsal – FIFA’s recognized international indoor version soccer – makes its Pan American Games debut in Rio, and the USA futsal team would like nothing better than to celebrate with a medal in the country that invented the sport.
“Were extremely proud to be here,” said U.S. coach Keith Tozer on his squad of professionals from the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). “Whenever you represent your country it’s an honor. Everyone here knows how important this is as the first ever futsal competition at the Pan Am Games. We came here to medal.”

All 12 players on the U.S. roster play in the Major Indoor Soccer League and five players – Pat Morris (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia KiXX), Brett Phillips (Syracuse, N.Y./Milwaukee Wave), Jamar Beasley (Fort Wayne, Ind./Detroit Ignition), John Ball (Hartford, Conn./Chicago Storm) and Lee Tschantret (New York, N.Y./Baltimore Blast) – competed for the USA team that placed seventh at the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championships. Beasely was the 2007 MISL Most Valuable Player.

“We have the leadership from our experienced players as well as the enthusiasm from our newer players,” said Tozer on the composition of the inaugural Pan Am futsal squad. “This is an exciting time for us.”

The USA faces an early test when the team opens the competition Monday against Argentina. Argentina placed fourth at the most recent Futsal World Championships in 2004 while the USA placed seventh. Brazil won the first four world championships and placed third in 2004.

The USA continues play on Tuesday against Ecuador and Wednesday against Costa Rico before beginning placement matches on Thursday.

“All of the teams here are pretty good,” said Tozer citing Brazil and Argentina as the pre-tournament favorites. “We’ve played these teams a lot over the past year, but obviously our first game is very important.”

Futsal is played with five players on each team on a field approximately the size of a basketball court. The ball is smaller and heavier then traditional soccer balls and players shoot at smaller goals. The game is played throughout the world and is sanctioned by FIFA as the only form of international indoor soccer.

USA Pan American Games Futsal Roster
Goalkeepers
Nick Voberg (Grants Pass, Ore./Milwaukee Wave), Brett Phillips (Syracuse, N.Y./Milwaukee Wave)

Defenders
Pat Morris (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia KiXX), Joe Hammes (Cedarburg, Wis./Milwaukee Wave), Troy Dusosky (Anoka, Minn./Milwaukee Wave)

Midfielders
Jamar Beaseley (Fort Wayne, Ind./Detroit Ignition), John Ball (Hartford, Conn./Chicago Storm), Matt Stewart (El Paso, Texas/Chicago Storm), Denison Cabral (Baltimore Blast)

Forwards
Don D’Ambra (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia KiXX), Enrique Tovar (San Jose, Calif./California Cougars), Lee Tschantret (New York, N.Y./Baltimore Blast)


USA Futsal Schedule
July 23 Argentina 16:30
July 24 Ecuador 16:30
July 25 Costa Rica 14:30
July 27 Placement match TBD
July 28 Placement match TBD



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