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 21st 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 34th 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 55th 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.
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 21st 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) 34th 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.
