RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil (July 25, 2007) – The U.S. Futsal National Team topped CONCACAF rival Costa Rica 6-5 with two goals in the closing minutes in the final Group B game of the 2007 Pan American Games.

The win gives the U.S. four points from three games, but a minus two goal differential leaves them in third place in the group behind Argentina (7 points) and Costa Rica (4 points / +1 goal differential). The U.S. begins play in the consolation bracket on Friday vs. Guatemala.

The first half was relatively quiet on the score sheet, with a fourth minute goal by Pat Morris of the U.S. being the only tally for either team.

The second half, however, was a different story. Costa Rica came out with a 22nd minute goal by Jefryd Ruiz, but the U.S. then scored the next three as Matt Stewart (29th minute), Joe Hammes (31st minute) and Denison Cabral (32nd minute) all scored in a four minute span.

Costa Rica battled back, however, answering as Ruiz, Vindas (2) and Alejandro Paniagua gave the ticos a one goal lead going into the final minute of the game.

The U.S. side, however, provide it’s resilience as Stewart and Cabral each scored their second goal of the game in the 40th minute to give the U.S. its first victory of the Pan Am games.

– Futsal Match Report –

Match: USA vs. Costa Rica
Competition: 2007 Pan American Games – Group B
Venue: Riocentro Pavillion 3B - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Scoring Summary  1   2   F
USA                            1   5   6
CRC                           0   5   5

USA – Pat Morris                                     4th minute
CRC – Jefryd Ruiz                                   22.
USA – Matt Stewart                                  29.
USA – Joe Hammes                               31.
USA – Denison Cabral                           32.
CRC – Jefryd Ruiz (double penalty)     34.
CRC – Adonay Vindas                            35.
CRC – Alejandro Paniagua                   37.
CRC - Adonay Vindas                             38.
USA – Matt Stewart                                  40.
USA – Denison Cabral                            40.

Lineups:
USA: Brett Phillips; John Ball, Jamar Beasley, Pat Morris, Lee Tschantret.
Subs: Dension Cabral, Matt Stewart, Troy Dusosky, Enrique Tovar, Joe Hammes.
Head Coach: Keith Tozer

CRC: Didier Herrera; Jefryd Ruiz, Yanan Montoya, Marco Carvajal, Julio Mendez.
Subs: Randal Rey, Daniel Colindres, Jonathan Quiros, Alejandro Paniagua, Danny Aguilar, Michael Cordoba, Adonay Vndas
Head Coach: Carlos Quiros

Statistics Summary: USA / CRC
Shots                                22 / 30
Shots on Goal                 14 / 17
Saves                                12 / 8
Corner Kicks                      8 / 5
Fouls                                 13 / 10

Misconduct Summary:
CRC – Yanan Montoya (caution)     25th minute
USA – Pat Morris (caution)               25.
USA – Enrique Tovar (caution)        28.
USA – Troy Dusosky (caution)         37.
CRC – Michael Cordoba (caution)  38.

Match Officials:
Referee 1: Nestor Valiente (PAR)
Referee 2: Gean Coelho Telles (BRA)

U.S. Futsal Schedule/Results – Pan-American Games
Date       Opponent             Result/Venue
July 23   Argentina              2-5 L
July 24   Ecuador                3-3 T
July 25   Costa Rica           6-5 W
July 27   Guatemala           Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
July 28   Cuba / Ecuador   Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Group B Final Standings
Team  W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   GD
ARG     2    0   1     7      11     3     +8
CRC    1    1   1     4      12     11    +1
USA     1    1   1     4      11     13     -2
ECU    0    2   1     1       7       14     -7