Deaf MNT Falls 2-1 to France, Finishes Eighth at 2023 World Championships

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Oct. 6, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team fell 2-1 to France in the 7th-Place Classification Match at the 2023 DIFA Men’s World Deaf Football Championship on Friday. With the result, the USDMNT placed eighth overall at the tournament.

 

The match originally kicked off on Thursday, October 5, but was paused in the 21^st minute due to inclement weather. The game restarted from that point at 10 a.m. the following morning and the USA grabbed the lead as JP Kanashiro headed home a corner kick from Braden Anderson in the 34^th minute, pushing David Kunitz’s side into the break with a 1-0 lead.

 

Two minutes into the second half, USA goalkeeper Erik Jaspers made a penalty stop on France’s Antoine Le Bigaut to hold the advantage, but the striker redeemed himself and equalize for Les Bleus when he headed home Hakim Ahmed Massaoud’s cross in the 55^th minute.

 

With the match looking like it may head to penalty kicks, France found the game-winner as Omar Diaby converted a penalty kick 10 minutes from time.

 

With the result, the USDMNT placed eighth out of 19 teams at the 2023 DIFA Men’s Deaf Football World Championships.

 

- U.S. MEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT -

 

Match: U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team vs. France

Date: October 5-6, 2023

Competition: 2023 DIFA Men’s World Deaf Football Championships – Classification (7-8)

Venue: UPNM Stadium; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kickoff: 4:30 a.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local)

Weather: 89 degrees, clear
NOTE: Due to inclement weather, the match was paused in the 21^st minute on Oct. 5, and continued at 10 a.m. local time on Oct. 6.

 

Scoring Summary:    1          2          F         

USA                            1          0          1         

FRA                            0          2          2         

USA – JP Kanashiro (Braden Anderson)                                34^th minute
FRA – Antoine Le Bigaut (Hakim Ahmed Massaoud)          55

FRA – Omar Diaby (penalty kick)                                         82

 

Lineups:

USA: 12-Erik Jaspers; 2-David Dircio (19-Arthur Goncalves, 21), 3-Eddie Perry (14-Dawson Anderson, 73), 5-Will Frentz (17-Tate Lancaster, 63), 6-Trip Neil (capt.) (10-Raul Silva, 73) 7-Chris Bourdon, 8-Braden Anderson, 11-JP Kanashiro, 13-Chad Johnson, 16-Kevin Fitzpatrick, 22-Michael Schmid

Subs not used: 1-Eric Setzer, 21-Samuel Lang, 9-Thomas Salvi, 15-Jullian Mitchell, 18-Luke Haubruge, 20-Kelly Grant

Not dressed: 4-Tristan Torbett

Head Coach: David Kunitz

 

FRA: Lineup not available

Stats Summary: USA / FRA

Shots: 7 / 15

Shots on Goal: 5 / 8

Saves: 5 / 4

Corner Kicks: 4 / 7

Fouls: 6 / 6
Offsides: 2 / 1

 

Misconduct Summary:

USA – Kevin Fitzpatrick (caution)     38
FRA – Neloi Carre (caution)              80

Officials:

N/A

 

About Deaf Soccer

Deaf soccer is contested by deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Under international criteria, players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their better ear. Hearing loss below this level has been shown to negatively impact hearing. All players competing in deaf matches must remove all hearing aids before playing.

 

For more information on the sport or to inquire about athlete eligibility, please contact U.S. Soccer's Extended National Teams Department via email at extendednt@ussoccer.org.