MANAGUA, Nicaragua (April 15, 2024) – The U.S. Men’s Futsal National Team used first-half goals from Luciano Gonzalez and Nilton de Andrade, a second-half strike from Franck Tayou, and a swarming defensive effort to help the short-handed side earn a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Guatemala to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship. Having finished third in Group C, the USA will face Group B winner Panama in Wednesday's quarterfinal, which also serves as the final hurdle for qualification to the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup this fall in Uzbekistan. Kickoff off USA-Panama from Polideportivo Alexis Argüello is set for 4 p.m. ET and the match will be broadcast live on FS2 and ViX.
In a tight first half where both sides traded chances and physical play, the USA went on top with just over six minutes remaining. Raphael Araujo was upended by a Guatemala defender in the U.S. attacking end, resulting in the sixth foul called on Los Chapines during the first half and leading to a U.S. kick from the second penalty spot 10 yards out from goal. The U.S. fixo calmly stepped up and slotted a low, right-footed effort past Jose Reyes to give the USA a much deserved 1-0 lead with 6:22 remaining in the first half.
Guatemala knocked on the door with two minutes remaining as Marvin Sandoval dribbled across the attacking end before powering an effort past U.S. substitute ‘keeper Robert Damron and off the right post. Thirty seconds later, Edgar Santizo let off a quick shot that Damron did well to parry away.
The USA got another goal in the very last second of the first half. Guatemala attempted one final set play with six seconds remaining, but the U.S. defended well and the ball poked out to Nilton de Andrade who raced up the left flank before glancing a low effort past Reyes as the last millisecond ticked off the clock, giving the USA a 2-0 halftime lead. The goal was de Andrade’s team-leading fourth in three matches at the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship.
A third U.S. goal came just over 30 seconds into the second half. David Ortiz won the ball on the left and quickly supplied the run of Franck Tayou who powered forward and blasted his effort past Reyes for his third goal in as many matches.
Down three goals with 10 minutes remaining, Guatemala began taking its chances by deploying a fifth attacker, and pulled one back just 30 seconds later when Marvin Sandoval finished off a nice pass at the back post. Continuing to pick its moments to deploy the “flying goalkeeper”, Guatemala grabbed a second with just under eight minutes remaining as Sandoval finished off a nice feed from Jenner Paniagua to pull the score back to 3-2.
Confusion ensued in the aftermath of the second Guatemala goal as goalkeeper Diego Moretti attempted to come back into the match, but was judged to have come onto the court without permission. Already on a yellow card, Moretti was shown a second caution before being ejected, but because he was not on the court during the run of play, the U.S. did not go down a player.
The U.S. wasn’t as lucky with three minutes remaining as Diego Burato was judged to have fouled a Guatemala attacker. On the infraction, Burato was shown a second yellow card, leaving the USA down a man the rest of the half, but it was also the team’s sixth foul of the second half, leading to a Guatemala spot kick from the second penalty spot.
On the ensuing take, Damron stood tall and turned away Jose Marin’s take to preserve a 3-2 lead, but the man advantage proved too much as Guatemala finally equalized through Patrick Ruiz with 2:07 remaining.
With the needed result in order to claim top spot in the group, Los Chapines moved the ball around plenty in the final two minutes, as the two sides settled for a 3-3 draw.
Match: United States Futsal Men’s National Team vs. Guatemala
Date: April 15, 2024
Competition: 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship – Group C
Venue: Polideportivo Alexis Arguello; Managua, Nicaragua
Attendance: 150
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. local time)
Weather: 96 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
GUA 0 3 3
USA – Luciano Gonzalez 6’22” (First Half)
USA – Nilton de Andrade 0’01”
USA – Franck Tayou (David Ortiz) 19’23” (Second Half)
GUA – Marvin Sandoval 9’29”
GUA – Marvin Sandoval 7’56”
GUA – Patrick Ruiz 2’07”
Lineups:
USA: 12-Diego Moretti (Capt.), 5-Luciano Gonzalez, 6-Sebastian Mendez, 8-Franck Tayou, 10-David Ortiz
Substitutes: 1-Robert Damron, 2-Manuel Andrade, 3-Nilton de Andrade, 7-Diego Burato, 9-Raphael Araujo, 13-Nicholas Lopez, 14-Erik Macias
Did not play: 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 11-Luiz Morales
Head coach: Hewerton Moreira
GUA: 2-Jose Reyes, 5-Edgar Santizo, 6-Jose Marin, 9-Marvin Sandoval, 13-Fernando Campaignac
Substitutes: 1-Angel Mazariegos, 3-Jenner Paniagua, 4-Nelson Tagre, 7-Roberto Alvarado, 8-Patrick Ruiz, 10-Wanderley Ruiz, 11-Alan Aguilar (Capt.), 12-Jhonny Diaz, 14-Bryan Santizo
Head Coach: Carlos Estrado
Misconduct Summary:
GUA – Alan Aguilar (caution) 14’17” (First Half)
USA – Diego Burato (caution) 14’17”
GUA – Patrick Ruiz (caution) 14’05”
USA – Diego Moretti (caution) 6’45”
USA – Raphael Araujo (caution) 5’27”
USA – Manuel Andrade (caution) 0’06”
USA – David Ortiz (caution) 12’48” (Second Half)
USA – Nilton de Andrade (caution) 8’38”
USA – Diego Moretti (caution) 7’56”
USA – Diego Moretti (ejection) 7’56”
USA – Diego Burato (caution) 3’04”
USA – Diego Burato (ejection) 3’04”
Officials:
Referee: Roberto Lopez (PAN)
Second Referee: Jhonny Garcia (SLV)
3rd Referee: Solis Reinier Fis (CUB)
Timekeeper: Carlos Trejo (MEX)