Related Articles U.S. Beach Soccer Wins Second Game of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, 5-2, Against Jamaica U.S. Beach Soccer Defeats Canada, 3-0, in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying

PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica (September 17, 2006) - The U.S. Beach Soccer team finished in first place at the 2006 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament to secure a place at the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Despite a 3-2 loss to Costa Rica in the team's final match on Sunday, the U.S. advanced first out of the region over second-place Canada, who will also attend the World Cup.

Anthony Chimienti and Ronald Silva scored for the United States against Costa Rica, but were unable to overcome the strong Ticos side.

The U.S. went into the match having already clinched first place after a 7-4 win against Mexico on Saturday (Sept. 16). Benyam Astorga put the U.S. on the board just four seconds into the match. Yuri Morales scored two more goals and Chimienti, Francis Farberoff, Zak Ibsen and Raphael Xexeo each scored once for the USA. The match was played at Playa Jaco after rains at Punta Leona rendered the field unplayable.

U.S. captain Farberoff was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. The U.S. will now prepare for the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which will take place in November in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil, Japan and Poland will be the USA's opponents in the group state of the 16-team tournament.

U.S. Beach Soccer CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament Results
Date           Opponent        Result
Sept. 13     Canada            3-0 W
Sept. 14     Jamaica           5-2 W
Sept. 16     Mexico              7-4 W
Sept. 17     Costa Rica      2-3 L

2006 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Tournament Final Standings
Team             GP   W   L   T      GD  PTS
USA                 4     3    1    0      +7     9
Canada          4     3    1     0     +5     9
Costa Rica    4     3    1     0     +1      8
Mexico            4     1    3     0      -4      3
Jamaica         4     0    4     0     -10     0