FUKUSHIMA, Japan (November 16, 2025) - The U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team defeated Korea Republic in convincing fashion Sunday evening in the team’s second group match of the Deaflympics. The USA scored twice on either side of the break and had a 4-0 lead behind goals from Tate Lancaster, Mike Schmid, Samson Abraham and JJ Waterman before conceding two goals in second-half stoppage time.
With three points after two matches in three-team Group D, the USA now awaits the final group match between Ukraine and South Korea on Tuesday (2:30 a.m. ET). A draw, Ukraine win, or Korea Republic win by seven goals would secure the USA’s advancement to the quarterfinals.
The USA was in complete control of the match from the onset, and took advantage of set pieces to put four balls in the net - although two were called back for infractions.
An eighth minute free kick by midfielder Braden Anderson on the left from 25 yards out was directed in at the near post by teammate Samson Abraham, but the referee ruled Abraham was a step offside and waived it off. Twelve minutes later, USA right back Philip Cruz headed in a corner from Raul Silva, but the referee also called it off ruling Cruz had pushed off a Korean player.
The next one counted.
In the 21st, Anderson lined a corner kick that defender and captain Tate Lancaster headed in at the near post after losing his mark on a dashing run from the top of the box to put the USA ahead. It was Lancaster’s third international goal and second in three matches after tallying in last month’s 3-1 friendly win against Germany.
USA forward Michael Schmid nearly doubled the lead but Korean goalkeeper Taerim Kim came up big off his line to deny. Next it was Lancaster again that came close. Anderson played a short free kick from the right to Silva, who quickly advanced in Lancaster’s near post run. The USA captain turned and shot while falling away and saw his shot hit off the crossbar.
The second goal finally came just before the break. Again a free kick started the possession near the left side of midfield, with Anderson taking the pass and moving down the center before finding Abraham on the left, who sent a cross into the area that Schmid (pictured above) lunged forward to redirect past the ‘keeper. Schmid now has 14 career goals, one off the all-time leader Chad Johnson.
The second half has was much of the same. And the third goal came after 15 minutes - and a great effort from Abraham. The speedy attacking player pressured a Korean defender to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper Taerim Kim, then Abraham chased the ball and caused the ‘keeper to misplay it - the ball falling to Abraham to put away from close range for his second international goal.
The game was essentially put away five minutes later when Anderson’s corner kick was met by left back JJ Waterman (pictured above) at the back post for his debut goal to extend the lead to 4-0.
With a commanding 4-0 lead, the U.S. let up some in added time, as Junyeong Jeong and Jonghun Kim each tallied to take it to 4-2.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Match: U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team vs. Korea Republic
Date: November 16, 2025
Competition: Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics
Venue: J-Village, Fukushima, Japan
Kickoff: 4:30 PM
Weather: 45 degrees; Cold, slick, dark, wet evening
Attendance: 125
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| KOR | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| USA – Tate Lancaster (Braden Anderson) | 25th minute |
| USA – Michael Schmid (Samson Abraham) | 43 |
| USA – Samson Abraham | 59 |
| USA – JJ Waterman (Braden Anderson) | 64 |
| KOR – Jeong Junyeong | 90+1 |
| KOR – Kim Jonghun | 90+3 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sam Lang; 8-Philip Cruz, 16-Kevin Fitzpatrick, 17-Tate Lancaster, 20-JJ Waterman; 3-Raul Silva (6-Dawson Anderson, 65), 10-Braden Anderson, 13-Joseph Kennedy, Jr., 2-Samson Abraham (19-Daniel De Moura, 81), 7-Chris Bourdon; 22-Michael Schmid (9-Jacob Contreras, 72)
Substitutes not used: 4-Luke Haubruge, 5-Kevin Oladimeji, 11-JP Kanashiro, 12-Andrew Lenert, 14-Bennett Haas, 15-Eddie Perry, 18-Aidan Burns, 21-Ethan Sullivan.
Head coach: Everett Palache
KOR: 1-Kim Taerim, 2-Kim Daesung, 4-Kim Gihyeon, 5-Park Hansol, 6-Park Jinyul, 7-Yoo Hochan, 9-Kim Hyunsub, 10-Jeong Junyeong, 11-Kim Jonghun, 12-Lee Siheon, 14-Ra Jeonghun, 18-Choe Jaehoon
Subs not used: 4-Kim Gihyeon, 8-Jung Horyeoung, 13-Lee Byeonggwang, 16-LeeSeungyeol, 17-Kim Jin Kyu, 19-Lee Hyeonyeop, 20-You Kyungwhan, 21-Wi Seokmin
Head coach: Kim Kwang jae
Stats Summary: USA / KOR
Shots: 11 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 4
Saves: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 11 / 17
Offside: 3 / 0
| Misconduct Summary |
| USA – Raul Silva (Caution) | 31st minute |
| KOR – Jeong Junyeong (Caution) | 65 |
| KOR – Yoo Hochan (Caution) | 68 |
| KOR – Ra Jeonghun (Caution) | 70 |
| USA – JJ Waterman (Caution) | 90+3 |
Officials:
Referee: Yiroyuki Chonan
Assistant Referee 1: Hiroaki Kudo
Assistant Referee 2: Kazukya Sawabe
Fourth Official: Fumiya Suwa