U.S. Takes Early Lead at CONCACAF Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifying Tournament

The U.S. Takes Lead in its group after beating Guatemala 6-2 in their opener of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The task at hand for the U.S. Beach Soccer National Team in their debut at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Qualifying Tournament for the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was challenging at best. Facing an enigma such as Guatemala, making its first appearance in the competition, presents many questions and unknowns. The surprises did not take long to present themselves as the Central Americans struck first through Ávila. Fortunately for the U.S., Futagaki and Morales were able to put their team on top by the end of the first period.

Ibsen would stretch their lead in the fourth minute of the second period, only to see the Guatemalan reply seconds afterwards to take the score to 3-2. However, that would be the end of the scoring for Pirez's squad, and the beginning of Chimenti’s goal scoring run. The USA’s number three scored a hat-trick in the latter stages of the game to lift his team to victory and up the group table as the U.S. now leads Costa Rica on goal differential with both teams sitting on three points.