Tri-nation tournament in the US

21/03/2003

U.S. WINS FIRST-EVER HOME-MATCHES IN 2002 NORTH AMERICAN INVITATIONAL

The U.S. Futsal National Team won their first international tournament held on home-soil overcoming Canada and Mexico at the 2002 North American Invitational from March 20-23 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The USA finished leveled with Mexico on points (four) at the conclusion of the triangular competition but the Americans took the title on the goal differential tiebreaker (+10 to Mexico’s +6).

Under head coach Keith Tozer (Milwaukee, Wis.), the U.S. opened the event with a convincing 10:0 win over Canada in Baltimore, Md. on Mar. 20.

Forward Bernie Lilavois and defender Pat White led the offense against Canada each notching three goals (hat-trick) for the USA.

Rounding out the scoring were forwards Mark Thomas, Steve Butcher, defenders Steve Bernal and Chris Morman.

“This is something that the whole team wanted to accomplish and that was to win the first-ever international futsal match on home soil,” said Lilavois after the game. “We have a very powerful offensive team here and most importantly we have an excellent defensive squad and that is going to be key for us in the future.”

The 10:0 result was the largest margin of victory by the Americans since the program’s inception in 1986. It was also the most goals scored by the U.S. since the 10:2 win over Malaysia on November 28, 1996.

The USA concluded the competition the following night (Mar. 21) with a 1:1 draw against Mexico in Washington, D.C. With score leveled at 1:1, Mexico had a chance to win the match with 34 seconds remaining as they fired a low shot from six-yards out that was deflected by a U.S. defender and toward the goal space between the legs of the American ‘keeper Dan Green, who was just able to get his left foot on the ball to make the crucial save to preserve the draw.

“The shot was deflected by one of our defenders and I didn’t really get a good look at it until it was right on me,” said Green. “So I did what I thought I could do and got my (left) leg out and I’m lucky I have size 12 feet.”

Forward Dewayne Gilpatrick opened the scoring for the U.S. in the first eight minutes of the match, but Mexico equalized just before the half for the 1:1 final.

Mexico went on to defeat Canada 7:1 in the final game of the triangular event on Mar. 23, in Washington, D.C.

“Hosting these games was a big step in the growth of futsal in the United States,” said U.S. Futsal Federation President/ Head of Delegation Alex Para. “These matches will help prepare the squad for future tournaments both overseas and here in the USA.”

 MATCH REPORTS

U.S.A. – Canada, 10:0 (6:0)
Competition: 2002 North American Invitational
Venue: Retriever Activity Center Arena –Baltimore, Md.
Date: March 20, 2002 – Kickoff 8 p.m. ET
Attendance: 250

Scoring Summary:
USA – Bernie Lilavois (Ted Eck) 1st minute (first half)
USA – Lilavois (penalty kick) 12.
USA – Mark Thomas (Greg Howes) 13.
USA – Pat White (Thomas) 15.
USA – Chris Morman (Thomas) 15.
USA – Lilavois (John Ball) 17.
USA – Steve Butcher (unassisted)27. (second half)
USA – White (Lilavois) 32.
USA – Steve Bernal (Lilavois) 35.
USA – White (Leighton O’Brien) 39.

Lineups:
USA – 1-Dan Green, 7-Troy Dusosky, 4-Ted Eck (Capt.), 6-Greg Howes, 9-Bernie Lilavois Substitutes: 3-Steve Butcher, 5-Leighton O’Brien, 8-Steve Bernal, 10-John Ball, 11-Chris Morman, 12-Pat White, 13-Matt Tanzini, 14-Mark Thomas, 18-Alec Rosenberg Coach: Keith Tozer

CAN – 1-Willy Pacheco, 2-George Montallvo, 3-Ted Ullrich, 9-Sandeep Sull, 10-Dominic DeMarco (Capt.) Substitutes: 4-Jean Mathew Lens, 5-Manuel Briere, 6-Bobson Sesay, 7-Ali Samaean, 8-Patrick Bessette, 11-Kasra Hageegee Coach: Dave Roach

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Carlo Servino (USA)
Second Referee: Andrew Lesinziski (CAN)