U.S. Para 7-a-Side National Team to face Venezuela for Bronze Medal at 2019 Parapan American Games
USA Ties Argentina, Brazil in Tournament Group Stage at 4-1-0, But Finishes Third After Tie-Breakers
LIMA, PERU (Aug. 29, 2019) – After a dramatic 3-2 win against Brazil, followed by a 10-0 rout of Peru in its last group match, the U.S. Para 7-a-Side National Team looked in solid position to play for the gold medal at the 2019 Parapan American Games. However, Argentina and Brazil drubbed Colombia and Venezuela, respectively, later in the day to surpass the USA on goal differential despite all three teams tying with identical 4-1-0 records atop the group standings.
Finishing third after the tie-breakers, the USA will now play Venezuela in the bronze medal match of the quadrennial competition involving nations from the Americas on Sat., Aug. 31 at 10:30 a.m. ET, while Brazil and Argentina meet in the gold medal game.
The USA started the tournament on the front foot with convincing wins over Colombia and Venezuela, but was shutout for the first time in 12 months in a 0-2 loss to Argentina in the third match.
Desperately needing a win over Brazil on Wednesday in order to remain in contention for a medal, the USA twice came from behind – via goals from Ben Lindau and Nick Mayhugh – to draw even with la Seleção with 15 minutes to play. Deep in stoppage, Brazil appeared content to draw when they played a corner kick all the way back to the goalkeeper. However, USA forward Cameron DeLillo chased the ball and hurried the ‘keeper into a clearance - which DeLillo blocked into the goal to win the game 3-2.
“To beat Brazil - in the style we did - felt great and lifted spirits, especially after failing to get out of first gear against Argentina a day earlier,” said USA PNT head coach Stuart Sharp. “The players showed real character to win against top-seeded Brazil after being down at the half. I am proud of that sort of response and also pleased that we won four out of our first five games in the competition so far.”
The USA’s dramatic win over Brazil set the stage for potential drama on the final day of group play, as the U.S., Brazil and Argentina entered the day tied with 3-1-0 records. The USA did its part by defeating Peru 10-0 with four goals from Mayhugh, three from Adam Ballou, two from Seth Jahn and another from Tyler Bennett. Then the team turned to scoreboard watching, hoping neither Argentina nor Brazil defeated their opponents by six. Argentina beat Colombia, 7-0, and Brazil blitzed Venezuela 15-0. Brazil came out on top with a +25 goal differential, followed by Argentina at +22, and the USA at +20.
“We always proudly represent Team USA and will fully focus on getting the bronze medal on Saturday,” added Sharp. “It was not the color of medal that we focused on coming in, but that is a positive sign of how far the players have come in recent years. We will celebrate winning a medal on Saturday for Team USA but we were, and always will, strive for more.”
The USPNT – which defeated Venezuela 6-0 in group play – has a chance to equal its highest finish in an international tournament after finishing third at the 2018 Copa America in Ecuador. And importantly, the team could add to Team USA’s medal tally. Entering Friday, the USA was second overall with 148 medals (50 gold, 48 silver, 50 bronze).
Fans can follow along on twitter @ussoccer_pnt and Instagram at @ussoccer_pnt.
-U.S. Para 7-a-Side National Team Match Report-
Match: United States Para 7-a-side National Team vs. Peru
Date: August 29, 2019
Competition: 2019 ParaPan American Games
Venue: Villa Maria del Triunfo Sports Center, Lima, Peru
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. local (10:30 p.m. ET)
Weather: 61 degrees, overcast
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 8 2 10
PER 0 0 0
USA – Seth Jahn 5th minute
USA – Nick Mayhugh 13
USA – Nick Mayhugh (Tyler Bennett) 14
USA – Adam Ballou 19
USA – Adam Ballou 20
USA – Adam Ballou 21
USA – Seth Jahn 27
USA – Nick Mayhugh 29
USA – Nick Mayhugh (Cameron Dellilo) 33
USA – Tyler Bennett (Seth Jahn) 47
Lineups:
USA: 12-Marc Estrella; 7-Adam Ballou, 8-Andrew Bremer, 2-Cameron Delillo (11-Shea Hammond,35); 4-Tyler Bennet, 10-Nick Mayhugh (Ben Lindau,36); 9-Seth JahnSubs not used: 1-Sean Boyle, 3-Jacob Crumbley, 6-Jake Kaplan,13-Josh Brunais,14-David Garza
Head Coach: Stuart Sharp
PER: 1-Jaime Panduro (Juan Uribe, 54), 5-Lenin Grandez, 6-Renzo Loyola, 8-Alexander Samaniego (7-Jose Quispe, 12), 11-Anthony Francis (3-Ronald Ayala, 54), 12-Erick Nuñez (9- Julio De L, 35), 14-Edinson Ojanama
Subs not used: 2-Lino Mejia, 10-Diego Reyes, 13 Edwin Rodrigue
Head Coach: Diego Acosta
Stats Summary: USA / PER
Shots: 57 / 0
Shots on Goal: 36 / 0
Saves: 19 / 0
Corner Kicks: 17 / 0
Fouls: 1 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
none
-U.S. Para 7-a-Side National Team Match Report-
Match: United States Para 7-a-side National Team vs. Brazil
Date: August 28, 2019
Competition: 2019 ParaPan American Games
Venue: Villa Maria del Triunfo Sports Center, Lima, Peru
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. local (2:30 p.m. ET)
Weather: 61 degrees, overcast
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 2 3
BRA 2 0 0
BRA – Herbert Oviedo 12th minute
USA – Ben Lindau 26
BRA – Cesar De Aguiar 29
USA – Nick Mayhugh 45
USA – Cameron Delillo 60 + 3
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sean Boyle; 13-Josh Brunais (8-Andrew Bremer,49),14-David Garza, 6-Jake Kaplan; 5-Ben Lindau, 2-Cameron Delillo;10-Nick MayhughSubs not used: 3-Jacob Crumbley, 4- Tyler Bennet, 7-Adam Ballou, 9-Seth Jahn, 11-Shea Hammond, 12-Marc Estrella
Head Coach: Stuart Sharp
BRA: 1- Moacir Mato, 2-João Cortes, 3-Heitor Camposano, 5-Hebert Oviedo, 6-Leonardo Morais, 7-Ubirajara Magalhaes (Jan Da Costa,56), 10-Ceasar De Aguilar
Subs not used: 4-Joao Araujo, 8-Evandro Gomes, 9-Jefferson Apare, 12-Wesley Dos Santos, 13-Jefferson DelMonde, 14-Lucas Da Silva
Head Coach: Paulo Cabral
Stats Summary: USA / BRA
Shots: 12 / 42
Shots on Goal: 6 / 17
Saves: 8 / 4
Corner Kicks: 8 / 7
Fouls: 8 / 9
Misconduct Summary:
BRA – Leonardo Morais 16th minute
BRA – Cesar De Aguilar 41
BRA – Joao Cortes 44
USA – Cameron Delillo 60 + 2