U.S. Ends FIFA Futsal World Cup with 8-1 Loss to Portugal in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Oct. 6, 2008) - The U.S. concluded its 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup with an 8-1 loss to Portugal on Monday at the Maracnãzinho in Rio de Janeiro. More to follow...

U.S. Eliminated from FIFA Futsal World Cup Following 5-3 Loss to Thailand

Goals from Mike Apple, Denison Cabral and Pat Morris Are

Not Enough to Stop a Tough Thailand Team

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Oct. 4, 2008) – The U.S. Futsal National Team saw its dreams of qualification for the second round of the FIFA Futsal World Cup come to an end against Thailand on Saturday with a 5-3 loss in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Keith Tozer's side put up a spirited effort, fighting back to tie the match early in the second half after falling behind by two goals, but couldn’t hold back the deserving Thai side. Despite the loss, the U.S. will still play one more group game against Portugal on Monday, Oct. 6. Kickoff for the game is at 9:30 a.m. ET and can be seen tape delayed on Galavision at 12:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 7.“I thought we did a great job to fight back for those two goals, but individually we broke down on defense with some mistakes,” said Tozer. “It's disappointing because it has happened to us in the first two games as well. [After Thailand's 3rd goal] We all felt like we could fight back because we dug out of that two goal hole from the first half. Thailand were sharper though and they hurt is with their speed and counter attack.”

Knowing that three valuable points were within range, Thailand were galvanized and soon extended their lead when Panuwat Janta knocked home a corner kick by Eakapong Suratsawang.With the U.S. pushing for a goal, The Elephants iced the game through Khumthinkaew's low near post shot. There was still time for Pat Morris to grab a goal from Ptah Myers' inbounds pass, but it was too little, too late.

Italy Dispatches U.S. Futsal National Team, 6-1, in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO (October 2, 2008) – Six unanswered goals from Italy handed the U.S. National Futsal Team a tough defeat at the FIFA Futsal World Cup from the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Despite taking the lead in the first half, Keith Tozer's side was unable to hold on to the lead, and eventually the quality of the Italy side proved to be too much for the U.S. Mathematically there is still a chance of qualification for the next round, and the U.S. takes the court again on Saturday, Oct. 4 when they clash with Thailand.

Not a good day against the experienced and very strong Italian team...

“I can't fault the guys' effort; it was much better than we had in the first game,” said Tozer. “We played with passion, heart and did all the things we talked about. Credit goes to Italy though because they're a great team. We had the 1-0 lead but we gave up the ball in the middle for the goal and then they took advantage of a two-on-one. It set us back and gave them energy. That was a huge turning point and we just couldn't get back up the ladder."

U.S. Futsal National Team Falls, 5-0, To Paraguay in Opening Match of FIFA Futsal World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Sept. 30, 2008) – In a hard fought opening match of the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the U.S. Futsal National Team lost to Paraguay, 5-0, at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Three first half goals and plenty of possession from the South American team meant that there was no way back for Keith Tozer's squad after an early deficit. The U.S. now faces a quick turnaround before its next match in the FIFA Futsal World Cup, and faces Italy on Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m. ET. ESPN360.com will broadcast the game live, while Galavision broadcast the match on tape-delay at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on Oct. 3.

“It was disappointing but Paraguay was the better team today,” said U.S. head coach Keith Tozer. “They were a little quicker, a little stronger, and they scored goals on their counter attacks, which is one of their biggest strengths. For most of these guys it was their first World Cup game and I think the tempo and the physicality surprised us a little bit. We got our feet wet though, and its important now to move forward." The U.S. created the first meaningful chance of the game just seconds after the opening kickoff. A combination freed up Matthew Stewart just inside the Paraguay penalty area, and his left footed shot crashed off the post before being cleared. Minutes later, Paraguay broke through when Jose Luis Santander’s snap shot in the seventh minute caromed off the post and rebounded fortuitously back to the forward. Santander reacted quickest and shrugged off the challenge of forward Chile Farias before finishing under U.S. goalkeeper Jeff Richey. Paraguay got stronger throughout the half, with Richey making save after save to keep the U.S. close. A collision between defender Joe Hammes and forward Jamar Beasley freed up Jose Rotella for a breakaway, but Richey reacted well to take the ball from the Paraguayan's feet. Richey was again called into action, saving a Ferandez blast with his chest in the 16th minute. Eventually, Paraguay doubled their lead through a lightning quick counter attack in the 17th minute. Walter Villalba pounced on a loose ball and dribbled into space before slipping a pass to Fabio Alcaraz who finished with his first touch. With seconds remaining in the first half, Paraguay scored again, this time through Robson Fernandez. The burly forward took a Villalba pass with his back to goal, before turning exquisitely and smashing the ball into the roof of the net. Coming just 11 seconds before the halftime buzzer, the goal was a tough blow to take for the U.S. side, who trailed, 3-0, heading into the locker room. While the U.S. continued to persevere as they searched for their offense. Paraguay added two more goals in the second half, through Carlos Chilavert and Rene Villalba. Chilavert, the Paraguay captain, took advantage of a U.S. defensive giveaway to put his side four goals up. Villalba tallied the final score when he stole the ball from Richey and finished into an open net in the 39th minute. With just one day off before the U.S. faces Italy on Oct. 2, Tozer insists that the focus for the team must be on moving forward. “I think it can be seen as a benefit [to play Italy so soon],” said Tozer. “We'll watch this tape to see what we can learn, but we definitely will put this game behind us as we get our game plan together [for Thursday's match against Italy].” One positive that the U.S. can take from the game is the knowledge that an opening game loss does not necessarily mean the end of a World Cup campaign. Tozer needs look no further than his 2004 team, which qualified for the second round after succumbing to defeat in the first match, 6-3, against Italy. “Unlike in 2004, we have four matches this time around so there's still a lot of Futsal to be played,” Tozer said. “In a group this tough we couldn't really expect to go 4-0 even if we would have liked to. We just need to put this behind us and learn from it. The big thing is that we've now played in a World Cup game. We have that experience and I think we will learn from it going forward." In other group action, Italy defeated Thailand, 1-0, putting them second in Group B behind Paraguay. The U.S. sits behind Thailand in fourth place while Portugal will play their first match Oct. 2 against Paraguay.

Today's training was the last session before tomorrow's opening game against Paraguay.

The mood within the team is one of both excitement and anticipation - what else would you expect going into the last night before the World Cup?

GOOD LUCK USA ON YOUR FIRST GAME!!

The coaches have been preparing the guys for Paraguay, and today they worked on some counter attacking formations and defensive shape. Of course there was the customary crossbar challenge, as well. It didn't last long though - Chile Farias hit the bar with the first try. That makes it two on the trot for Chile, who also took Friday's contest as well.

After training we headed back to the hotel. We headed to lunch but not before the team went for a quick stop in the ocean. It was a slightly chilly dip, but all the more refreshing for our guys. Today is the first really sunny day that we've been in Rio and the good weather should continue for the rest of the week. Sometimes you just wish futsal was played outside! Oh well. It's amazing to think that after all the preparations the team has done, the next time they step on the court will be for the FIFA Futsal World Cup...

US team arrived at the Maracanã Stadium. Flamengo is playing!!

The team visited one of the most famous stadiums in the world...

"For the first time in my life I am here whatching my favorite team playing a live game. I have not words to describe this experience... It was one of my dreams as a soccer fan and it came on the right time, with some great people (my teamates) and with a great result (2x1 Flamengo, Denison's favorite team)". Said Cabral

Our team arrived at the Maracanã about half an hour before game time and though the weather wasn't the best, the Flamengo fans were still out in full force. The roads leading up to the famous stadium were packed with supporters dancing, singing, and..um..drinking. A lot.

Our team was fortunate enough to be provided a suite in which to watch the game, and we walked around the upper level of the stadium to get to our box.

The noise of the crowd was steadily increasing and as the game drew closer, the fans were getting ready. Big flags of all their heroes - #10 Zico (Denison's all time favorite player), Junior, Dida, and more - were unfurled and readied for the walkout of the teams.

More from Rio...

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2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup ON TV!!

Galavision will be airing the FIFA Futsal World Cup on tape delay.
Here is the schedule:

Tuesday September 30
Paraguay vs. USA
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Wednesday October 1
Guatemala vs. Egypt
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Thursday October 2
USA vs. Italy
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Saturday October 4
Brazil vs. Russia
8p – 9:30p ET / 5p – 6:30p PT

Sunday October 5
Spain vs. Czech Republic
5:30p – 7p ET / PT

Monday October 6
Portugal vs. USA
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Tuesday October 7
China vs. Guatemala
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Wednesday October 8
Brazil vs. Cuba
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Thursday October 9
Argentina vs. Guatemala
12:30a – 2a ET / PT

Once again the games are TAPE DELAYED.

FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND POST COMMENTS TO YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER OR STAFF MEMBER.

Friday in Rio de Janeiro... US training at the Maracanazinho Arena

Friday, September 26, 2008

See anything interesting about the official FIFA Futsal World Cup logo?That's right - it's a PARROT! South America is well known for having a large diversity of parrots and in fact the famous Estadio do Maracanã is nicknamed after the bird with the same moniker.What facilitated the discovery of the Parrot logo was our introduction to Parangolé, the FIFA Futsal World Cup mascot. Apparently, South America loves a good parrot mascot - if you'll remember last year Guaky was the mascot of the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela.

Maracanazinho Arena

Training session this morning

Our drive to training today featured lots of traffic, which seems about par for the course in Rio. We drove through Leblon and Ipanema, two of the most famous beachside neighborhoods in Rio. Even through the thunderstorm you can see that these are the places to be. We detoured away from the beach and just blocks from the sand the streets are lined with Cafes and boutique stores.

The U.S. Futsal National Team has arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the FIFA Futsal World Cup

Thursday, September 25, 2008

As we were leaving for training today, Ptah Myers was flagged down by an onlooker outside of our hotel. Turns out, the bystander was a salesman and he wanted to show us what he had on offer: license plates.According to Denison Cabral, who was doing the translating, one custom named U.S. Futsal National Team license plate can be yours for just 40 Brazilian. Apparently receiving random trinkets outside of your hotel is a very South American thing.

Anyhow, the license plate dealer has given the guys some time to make their decisions - and chances are that asking price isn't final either... (From left to right in the picture -Team Doctor Nicholas Romansky, Cabral, and Myers)

Tozer Announces 14-Player Roster for FIFA 2008 Futsal World Cup in Brazil

CHICAGO (Sept. 16, 2008) - U.S. Futsal National Team head Coach Keith Tozer has named a squad of 14 players for the upcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

"I'm excited about the team that we're taking to Brazil," said Tozer. "We are a young team, not only in age but in experience. However, at the same time we are a talented team that can only get better the deeper we go."

Of the 14 players named to the FIFA World Cup squad, 11 took part in June's CONCACAF Futsal Championship, where the U.S. finished third. The team will travel to Brazil on Sept. 24, stationing itself in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the tournament's opening. The U.S. will train in the city and play a friendly with current World champions Spain on Sept. 28.

Two players on the squad have prior Futsal World Cup experience, with forward Jamar Beasley and defender Pat Morris having played in the 2004 tournament in Chinese Taipei. Beasley, a rookie with the team, concluded the tournament with two goals and two assists, while Morris also a contributed a goal in the USA’s seventh place finish in Asia. Midfielder Matthew Stewart lead the U.S. with five goals in the CONCACAF Championship, while goalkeepers Jeff Richey and Nick Vorberg split time in the net during the tournament.

Midfielder Denison Cabral, himself a native Brazilian, captained the side throughout the tournament and he will reprise the role for the team in the World Cup.

U.S. Futsal National Team

2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup

Roster By Position

• Goalkeepers (2): Jeff Richey (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Nick Vorberg (Grants Pass, Ore.)
• Defenders (2): Joe Hammes (Cedarburg, Wis.), Pat Morris (Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Midfielders (6): Denison Cabral (Florianopolis, Brazil), Andrew Jacobsen (Palo Alto, Calif.), Ptah Myers (Columbus, Ohio), Sandre Naumoski (Philadelphia, Pa.), Andy Rosenband (Hammond, Ind.), Matthew Stewart (El Paso, Texas)
• Forwards (4): Mike Apple (Akron, Ohio), Jamar Beasley (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Chile Farias (Los Angeles, Calif.), Brett Wiesner (Brookfield, Wis.).

U.S. Futsal National Team Staff
Head Coach: Keith Tozer
Assistant Coach: Vilmar "VAVA" Marques
Goalkeeper Coach: Mark Litton
Team Coordinator: Bryan Koch
Team Doctor: Dr. Robert Lim
Team Doctor: Dr. Nicholas Romansky
Athletic Trainer: Tony Rill
Equipment Coordinator: Marthell Vazquez
Press Officer: Mark Liskevych

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Group B - Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay and USA.

• Sept. 30
  Paraguay vs. USA
  Rio de Janeiro
  11:30 a.m. (ET)
  
• Oct. 2
  USA vs. Italy
  Rio de Janeiro
  11:30 a.m. (ET)
  
• Oct. 4
  Thailand vs. USA
  Rio de Janeiro
  9:30 a.m. (ET)
  
• Oct. 6
  Portugal vs. USA
  Rio de Janeiro
  9:30 a.m. (ET)