USA eliminated from FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after 3 straight losses
ASUNCION, Paraguay – The U.S. Beach Soccer Men’s National Team fell to Paraguay 5-1 in both teams’ last match at the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The USA and Paraguay entered the match knowing neither would advance after Japan and Switzerland had secured the top two positions in Group A following the second matches of group play.
| Teams | GP | W | W+ | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| Japan | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 9 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 17 | 5 |
| Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 3 |
| USA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 0 |
In a sentimental moment prior to the kickoff, USA captain Nick Perera asked Ryan Futugaki, a veteran of the USA’s 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup teams, to don the captain’s armband on the night.
The U.S. beach fell behind early and could not recover against the hosts, who were lifted by a boisterous home crowd. Jason Leopoldo scored late for the U.S. to avoid the team’s first shutout in five World Cups.
The teams traded dangerous plays in the second minute, with USA goalkeeper Juan Cervantes denying a mini-breakway with a smothering dive, followed by Nick Perera pinging a bike attempt off the Paraguay crossbar.
Paraguay broke through late in the first period after Gabe Silveira was whistled for handball deep in the Paraguay end of the field. Luis Ojeda took the long free kick, passing just past midfield to captain Pedro Moran, who lifted the ball to himself and hit a solid bike past Cervantes. Jesus Rolon doubled the lead shortly after when he brought down a pass with his back to goal, turned and juggled twice before ripping a volley to the side net.
Cervantes kept the score at bay with a reaction save on a penalty kick in the final seconds of the first period.
The second period was similar to the first as both sides matched attempts before Paraguay added two late goals. Edgar Barreto crushed a free kick from midfield into the upper corner, and Carlos Carballo put away a penalty kick after Lucas Roque was called for a handball while attempting to block a bike attempt.
Paraguay made it 5-0 midway though the third when goalkeeper Carlos Ovelar juggled forward and shot at goal, the ball skipped in front of USA goalkeeper Chris Toth and to his side before settling in the net.
Jason Leopoldo got the USA on the board off the restart when he took the ball down the left flank before drawing the ‘keeper out and shooting past him from a tight angle.
Leopoldo joined Nick Perera, Oscar Reyes and Alessandro Canale with two goals scored at this World Cup. Jason Santos and Chris Toth also scored during the USA’s run through group play.
-U.S. BEACH SOCCER MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: U.S. Beach Soccer Men’s National Team vs. Paraguay
Date: Nov. 25, 2019
Competition: 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Venue: “Los Pynandi” World Cup Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 2,847
Weather: 92 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 3 OT F
USA 0 0 1 – 1
PAR 2 2 1 – 5
PAR – Pedro Moran 9th minute
PAR – Jesus Rolon 11
PAR – Edgar Barreto 23
PAR – Carlos Carballo (pk) 24
PAR – Carlos Ovelar 30
USA – Jason Leopoldo 30
LINEUPS:
USA: 12-Juan Cervantes, 3-Ryan Futagaki (capt), 5-Adrian dos Santos, 7-Nick Perera, 9-Alessandro Canale
Substitutes: 1-Chris Toth, 2-Jason Leopoldo, 4-Gabe Silveira, 6-Jason Santos, 8-Lucas Roque, 10-Oscar Reyes, 11-David Mondragon
Head coach: Eddie Soto
PAR: 1-Carlos Ovelar, 4-Luis Ojeda, 5-Jesus Rolon, 6-Pedro Moran, 11-Sergio Villarde
Substitutes: 12-Yoao Rolon, 2-Juan Lopez, 3-Gustavo Benitez, 7-Edgar Barreto, 8-Carlos Carballo, 9-Carlos Benitez, 10-Rodrigo Escobar
Head coach: —
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Alessandro Canale (caution) 16
USA – David Mondragon (caution) 18
USA – Lucas Roque (caution) 24
Officials:
Referee: Ingilab Mammadov (AZE)
Second Referee: Ebrahim Almansory (UAE)
Third Referee: Bakhtiyor (UZB)
