USA earns 1-1 draw vs. El Salvador in Concacaf Futsal Championship opener

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – The U.S. Futsal National Team came from behind to tie El Salvador 1-1 on a stunning bicycle kick goal from Everson Maciel in both teams’ opening match of the 2021 Concacaf Futsal Championship. Following Nicaragua’s 4-1 win over Cuba in the first game, the USA sits in second place in Group D.

Playing in its first Concacaf Futsal Championship since 2012, the USA relied on the steady play of veteran goalkeeper Diego Moretti early on, who twice denied El Salvador attempts with smart timing off his line to cut off angles.

The USA’s best early chance came halfway through the first half when 19-year old Tomas Pondeca blasted a shot off the right post. El Salvador took the lead with less than three minutes to play in the opening frame when Samuel Munoz snuck one past Moretti from the right flank.

The USA started the second half much brighter. Luciano Gonzalez was the first to seriously test El Salvador goalkeeper Emerson Lemus with a clever back heel that Lemus read well. Jeremy Klepal and Daniel Mattos then ripped shots from the left side to the far post, but Lemus was somehow able to react to and make fantastic diving saves on each attempt.

The U.S. finally broke through when Moretti threw a 30-yard pass downcourt to Everson at the top of the box. The 42-year-old settled and quickly got off the ground to bike home the equalizer.

The USA will next face Nicaragua on Tuesday, May 4 at 4 p.m. ET, live on TUDN.

– U.S. FUTSAL MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT –

Match: U.S. Futsal Men’s National Team vs. El Salvador
Date: May 3, 2021
Competition: 2021 Concacaf Futsal Championship
Venue: Domo Polideportivo; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Attendance: No fans permitted
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. local

Scoring Summary:   1          2          F
USA                            0          1          1
SLV                             1          0          1

SLV – Samuel Muñoz                                                 2’31” (First Half)
USA – Everson Maciel (Diego Moretti)                      12’ (Second Half)

Lineups:

USA: 12-Diego Moretti (Capt.); 2-Zach Reget, 6-Jeremy Klepal, 7-Daniel Mattos, 14-Luciano Gonzalez

Substitutions: 1-Eduardo Macias, 3-Raphael Araujo, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 5-Julian Escobar, 8-Guilherme Veiga, 9-Everson Maciel, 10-Ricardo Sobreira, 11-Tomas Pondeca, 13-Eduardo Buenfil

Head coach: Dusan Jakica

SLV: 12-Emerson Lemus, 4-Salvador Aguilar, 7-Rodrigo Contreras, 10-David Sandoval, 11-Samuel Muñoz

Substitutions: 1-Oscar Montaño, 2-Victor Chavez, 3-Erick Martinez, 5-Jose Guerra, 6-Marvin Diaz, 8-Alan Solis, 9-Cristopher Varela, 13-Pedro Gomez, 14-Boris Corea

Head coach: Juan Palma

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Luciano Gonzalez (caution)                16’47” minute (Second half)
USA – Raphael Araujo (Caution)                    1’43” (Second half)

Officials:
1st Referee: Diego Lopez (CRC)
2nd Referee: Ricardo Lay (PAN)
3rd Referee: Oscar Cruz (HON)
Timekeeper: Rivera Llerenas, Francisco Javier (MEX)