ACAPULCO, Mexico (Aug. 10) - The U.S Beach Soccer team clinched a trip to the 2007 Beach Soccer World Cup this afternoon with a 5-3 win over Costa Rica at the 2007 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Qualifying Tournament at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess Hotel Beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

Jevin Albuquerque led the way for the U.S. with four goals, including strikes in the 1st and 2nd minute that gave the U.S. the early 2-0 lead. Albuquerque struck again in the 14th minute as it looked like the U.S. might run away with the match, but Costa Rica's Delber Cameron tallied in the 17th, 22nd and 23rd minutes to make things even once again.

The U.S. regrouped and midway through the third period Brendan Taguinod scored what ended up being the game winner, heading in an Albuquerque throw-in.  The U.S. sealed the win when Albuquerque pounced on a loose ball and pounded it home.

In the second match of the day, Mexico secured the other CONCACAF berth in the World Cup with a 6-4 victory against El Salvador.

The U.S. is tied with Mexico in the four-team qualifying group with six points, but sits in first place with a better goal differential (+6 to +4). The U.S. and Mexico will face off on Sunday for the CONCACAF title.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2007 will be played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from November 1-11.

Acapulco is also hosting the the CONMEBOL Championship (South America) at the same time. The tournament is a three-team event with Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela, with the top two will advancing to the FIFA tournament in Brazil.

After the qualifying tournament, the top three CONCACAF teams will play the CONMEBOL squads in friendlies on Sunday, Aug. 12.

U.S. Beach Soccer Match Report

USA vs. Costa Rica

Scoring Summary:
USA - Jevin Albuquerque (1st minute, 2, 14, 32), Brandon Taguinod (30)
CRC - Delber Cameron (17, 22, 23).

Lineups:
USA: 1-Luis Montanez, 2-Jevin Albuquerque, 8-Anthony Chimienti, 9-Zak Ibsen, 10-Francis Farberoff.
Subs: 12-Bayard Elfvin, 3-Brendon Taguinod, 5-Benyam Astorga, 6-Ronald Silva, 11-Raphael Xexeo.
Head coach: Roberto CECILIANO

CRC: 22-Sheidron Grau, 6-José Pablo Calvo, 7-Hans Morales, 9-Delber Cameron, 11-Danny Jhonson.
Subs: 3-Jeffrey Chavarría, 5-Brayan Hernandez, 10-Ricardo Xavier Álvarez, 16-Andres Chavarria.
Head coach: Juan Carlos ARGUEDAS

2007 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Tournament
Standings
Teams             W   L   T   GF  GA   GD   Pts 
USA                  2    0   0    14   8     +6     6 
Mexico              2    0   0    9     5     +4     6 
Costa Rica      0    2   0    4     8      -4     0 
El Salvador      0    2   0    9    15     -6     0

Schedule/Results
Thursday, August 8
USA 9, El Salvador 5
Mexico 3, Costa Rica 1

Friday, August 9
USA 5, Costa Rica 3
Mexico 6, El Salvador 4 

Saturday, August 10
USA vs. Mexico
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador