Chicago Storm players' banner effort clinches spot in FIFA Futsal World Cup
June 8, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - With everything on the line to advance to the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the U.S. Futsal National Team pulled through with a dominant 7-1 victory against Panama on Sunday at Domo Polideportivo in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The win gave the U.S. third place in the CONCACAF Futsal Championships and assured it a spot in the World Cup from Sept. 30 to Oct. 19 in Brazil.
The team can thank the Chicago Storm's trio of Matthew Stewart, Andy Rosenband and Jeff Richey for providing a huge lift. Stewart scored a hat trick, Andy Rosenband chipped in with a goal, and Richey made 19 saves, allowing only a second-half goal to Panama. Richey allowed only four goals in his three CONCACAF starts.
"Jeff played brilliant," U.S. head coach Keith Tozer said. "He was brilliant in the Costa Rica game, then (Sunday) he did a really good job of controlling the area - a good job of seeing the ball and making big saves when we need it."
Stewart scored three goals - all in the second half. He netted goals in the 24th, 29th and 38th minutes. Stewart led the U.S. with five goals in the CONCACAF Championships.
Rosenband's goal came in the 19th minute of the first half to give the U.S. a 2- 0 lead heading into halftime.
Also for the U.S., Pat Morris scored two goals, while Jamar Beasley added a score. Panama's lone goal came from Alfredo Phillips in the 38th minute in the second half. The U.S. victory was a huge boost after a deflating semifinal loss to host Guatemala and playing to a 1-1 draw against Panama in earlier CONCACAF competition.
"I thought the game plan, the guys executed to a T," Tozer said. "The first time we played Panama, we pressured them full-court but couldn't create any counterattacks because of our pressure. This time, we dropped the pressure to half court to give us space to get in behind them, and it worked."
The U.S. posted a 3-1-1 record in the CONCACAF and advanced to the World Cup for the third time in four CONCACAF Championships. The top three CONCACAF teams advance to the worlds.
Guatemala and Cuba join the U.S. in Brazil from the CONCACAF region. The World Cup features 20 teams, including host Brazil and defending champion Spain.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from June 8, 2008
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