U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team Drops Second Match to Brazil

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Oct. 20, 2010) -- The U.S. Paralympic National Team dropped its second game at the Copa America tournament to Brazil, 5-0. Brazil is the only team at the tournament that has already qualified for 2011 CPISRA World Championships and the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

The U.S. put up a solid defensive effort in the early going, but Brazil finally broke through in the 22nd minute with the first of Renato Lima's three goals on the day. Though the U.S. was only down 1-0 at halftime, a quick Brazil goal just after the second half kicked off opened the floodgates.

Lima scored in the 31st minute and rounded out his hat trick in the 52nd. Mateus Calvo and Wanderson Oliveira rounded out the scoring for Brazil for the 5-0 final.

Next up for Jay Hoffman's team is a match against Mexico on Friday, Oct. 22. The U.S. will then play Argentina on Oct. 24 and Venezuela on Oct. 26.

The winner of the Copa America will automatically qualify for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. The top three finishers in Argentina qualify for the 2011 CPISRA World Championship, from which an additional four teams will qualify for London.