Beach MNT Defeats Argentina on PKs in Pre-World Cup Friendly
Dos Santos, Reyes, Leopoldo Score in Regulation; Toth Put Away PK and Saved Final Two Shots
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Nov. 11, 2019) – The U.S. Men’s Beach Soccer National Team defeated Argentina 3-2 on penalty kicks after drawing 3-3 in a friendly match played at the Argentine Football Association Training Complex in Ezeiza. The match was the first of three the USA will play in preparation for the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which begins Nov. 21 in Paraguay.
The USA took a 1-0 lead into the first break on a scissor-kick goal by Adriano dos Santos, who hit a one-time shot from the right flank off a long throw from goalkeeper Chris Toth. Oscar Reyes extended the lead in the second period with a winding, first-time flick over a defender after receiving a nice pass from Nick Perera 15 yards from goal.
In the third-period, the hosts mounted a comeback. First Luciano Sirico put away a lose ball from close range, then Lucas Medero was opportunistic on a long-range freekick that hit sand in front of goalkeeper Juan Cervantez and bounced over him into the goal.
The USA regained the lead with 35 second to play when Perera sent a through ball to the far post that Jason Leopoldo put away; however, Lautaro Benaducci tied it again on a freekick with just seven second remaining in regulation.
After a scoreless overtime, the USA prevailed on penalty kicks. After Perera’s initial shot was saved, Oscar Reyes and Toth both scored before Toth came up big with a diving save on Argentina’s third shot. Lucas Roque then put the U.S. up 3-2 and Toth made a second save, denying Argentina’s last attempt to seal the U.S. win.
The teams will meet again on Friday in the USA’s last match before its World Cup opener on Nov. 21 against Switzerland.
-U.S. Beach Soccer National Team Match Report-
Match: Beach Men’s National Team vs. Argentina
Date: Nov. 11, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: AFA Training Complex; Ezeiza, Buenos Aires
Kickoff: 8 a.m. ET
Attendance: --
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 3 OT F
USA 1 1 1 0 3
ARG 0 0 3 0 3
USA – Adriano dos Santos 4th minute
USA – Oscar Reyes 23
ARG – Luciano Sirico 29
ARG – Lucas Medero 30
USA – Jason Leopoldo 36
ARG – Lautaro Benaducci 36
Penalty Kicks: USA 3-2 ARG
USA – Nick Perera (saved), Reyes (goal), Toth (goal), Roque (goal)
ARG – Medero (goal), Benaducci (goal), M. Ponzetti (saved), L. Ponzetti (saved)
Lineups:
USA: 1-Chris Toth, 5-Adrian dos Santos, 7-Nick Perera (capt), 4-Gabe Silveira, 10-Oscar Reyes
Substitutes: 12-Juan Cervantes, 2-Jason Leopoldo, 3-Ryan Futagaki, 6-Jason Santos, 8-Lucas Roque, 11-David Mondragon
Not Available: 9-Alessandro Canale
Head coach: Eddie Soto
ARG: 1-Mariano Mansilla, 2-Lucas Medero (capt), 3-Emanuel De Sosa, 10-Lautaro Benaducci, 9-Manuel Bordon
Substitutes: 12-Sebastian Azimonti, 4-Lucas Ponzetti, 5-Axel Rutterschmidt, 6-Guido Noriega, 7-Luciano Sirico, 8-Emiliano Holmedilla, 11-Maximiliano Ponzetti
Head coach: Hernan Magrini
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Adriano dos Santos (caution) 34
Officials:
Referee: --
Second Referee: --
Third Referee: --
Fourth Official: --