International AMF FutSal Series

US AMF FutSal National Team wins First International AMF FutSal Series



US AMF FutSal National Team wins First International AMF FutSal Series

The US AMF Futsal National Team triumphs over Canada by Goal Differential to take home the Trophy from the home and away International FutSal Series between the two North American Countries. The scores for both games played at the Etobicoke Olympium Arena in Toronto were 5-5 and 4-3 in favor of Canada but since the games ended 4-4 and 7-5 in New York's City College - the US edged out Canada by one goal.

First Game: Both teams played very tactical and lovely rotational futsal in which the first 9 minutes of play served for both teams to feel each other out until Matthew Rios opened up the scoring with a strong ground shot to the right of US keeper Steven Diaz. The US would not be silenced and the score was drawn even by a lefty placed shot by Matias Velazquez who had a good debut with the US team in International Competition. It was all USA for the next 15 minutes in which 3 unanswered goals including a chip from 16 meters out by Alan Acevedo and an elastico that led to a rocket by Richard Lesmes to put the score up to 4-1. American dominance continued and opportunities were plentiful although missed because of over confidence and trying to play with too much flair. Canada would storm back and tie the game 4-4 until Richard Lesmes put the US up 5-4 and then on a defensive miscue the ball gets away from the grasps of the US keeper and the score was tied 5-5. Canadian tactical play was very impressive throughout as was the movement and stylish play of the US youngsters in a team whose average age is a mere 19 years.

Second Game: Two words describe the beginning of the second game in Toronto's Etobicoke Olympium - High Pressure in a desperate but controlled attempt by Canada that paid off as they took an early 2-0 lead. The US squad maintained their composure led by Captain America, Steven Amaya - strong runs by Christian Turizo - great contributions and organized marking by Matias Velazquez, Huigens Garcia and Christian Camacho. In a truly inspired performance Richard Lesmes was totally on and in clutch fashion scored 3 goals for the USA including a rabona in the final minute of play to pull the team within one and insure that the trophy was going back to New York. The personality of this young squad flourished in the final half of the second game in which a TOTAL TEAM EFFORT held the game within reach.