Dubai, United Arab Emirates (February 15, 2024) – The U.S. Men’s Beach Soccer National Team fought hard in their opening game of the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on Thursday at Design District Stadium, but ultimately lost to reigning European champions and seventh-ranked Italy. We lost by -3.
Forward Connor Rezende scores his first World Cup career goal to tie the game at 1-1 late in the first period, while veterans Chris Toth and Alessandro Canale are the only U.S. players to appear in four FIFA Beach appearances. He joined head coach Francis Faberoff as a player. soccer world cup.
The U.S. had two early chances from Chris Albiston within the first 90 seconds, but Virginia Beach had the first shot on the restart to the right side of the goal, but the rushing shot went wide of the left side of the frame.
Despite a good start, Rezende forced his way into the middle and Italy scored the first goal. Azzurri This ball was pushed to the right post and Josep Gentilin scored his first World Cup goal with 10:07 left in the game.
Undeterred by the early deficit, the United States created numerous chances. Gabe Silveira, playing in his third World Cup, pushed a centering pass from Chris Albiston to the right wing at 9:16, and Cody Valcarcel’s free kick at 7:01 went just over the goal. is. Then, at 5 minutes 26 seconds, Toth juggled the ball from the back and the deflected volley went off the crossbar for a corner kick.
Consistent pressure eventually allowed the U.S. to break through with 1:22 left. Silva held the ball near the end line and cut back to Resende, who took a touch to his left before firing a shot through the sand and over Italian goalkeeper Leandro Casapieri to make it 1-1. .
But the lead didn’t last long as Italy’s Gentilin lofted a cross from the left end line and Nico Perea tried to clear at the near post, but his slight touch wasn’t enough to push Dancer out and with 43 seconds left Emanuele・Zurlo scored a goal. It crossed the goal line and sent Italy into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
After creating multiple attacking chances in the first game, chances were more limited in the second game, but the Americans still performed well on both ends of the sand.
After Rezende fouled Zurlo on the left about five minutes into the second period, the Italian took a strong free kick, but Toth made a good save. Toth then volleyed past Canale at the left post and with five minutes left, the Santa Monica native’s header found the side netting, creating danger at the other end.
The U.S. looked to have the upper hand in the second period, but Italy took control of the third with 4:06 remaining. Nico Perea grappled with Marco Giordani in midfield and the slightest touch sent the Italian crashing hard into the sand. The referee blew the free-kick whistle and showed Perea a yellow card, but Giordani took advantage of the opportunity to fire a heart shot into the top left corner, giving Toth no chance.
Italy, who started the third game with a 3-1 lead, was able to slow down the pace of the game and limit America’s chances.
With 1:46 remaining, Tanner Akol gathered the ball on the left side, juggled it and fired a volley that missed just left of Casapieri’s goal. Seconds later, Alessandro Remedi received his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Perea in midfield, reducing Italy to four men with 1:30 left and giving the Americans some momentum. Perea took a powerful free kick, which Casapieri took in well.
Casapieri then denied Silveira’s strong shot from the right side, and Akol’s reliable corner kick was unable to reach Canale on the final line. Italy then watched out the rest of the match.
The United States will now play host United Arab Emirates on Saturday, February 17th (10:30am ET, FS2, Telemundo App, Telemundo.com) and on Monday, February 19th (6:30am ET) on FS2, Telemundo App, Telemundo.com ) as they prepare to finish group play against Egypt. ET; FS2, Universo).
Other notes:
- This game marked the first meeting between the United States and Italy in the FIFA Beach Soccer era (2005-present).
- Connor Rezende scores his first career goal at the World Cup, his 34th goal and sixth goal of his career.th cap.Rezende is 23 years oldrd US players score at the Beach Soccer World Cup.
- Alessandro Canale, playing in his record-tying fourth Beach Soccer World Cup, scored 10 goals in total.th He holds the record for the most World Cup caps in USBMNT history after Francis Faberoff.
- Scored 98 pointsth Goalkeeper Chris Toth, who completed his career cap, joined Canale in his fourth World Cup appearance and made nine saves.
- Ricardo Carvalho, Antonio Chavez, Andres Navas and Cody Valcarcel made their Beach Soccer World Cup debuts.
- With this result, the USA now has a total of 3 wins and 15 losses at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
- USMNT Career Caps: Chris Toth (98), Alessandro Canale (94), Gabe Silveira (55), Chris Albiston (49), Antonio Chavez (36), Nico Perea (36), Connor Rezende ( 34), Tanner Acol (25)), Cody Valcarcel (22), Andres Navas (17), Ricardo Carvalho (11)
- USMNT Career World Cup Caps: Alessandro Canale (10), Chris Toth (9), Gabe Silveira (7), Chris Albiston (4), Nico Perea (4), Tanner Acol (3) , Conor Rezende (2), Ricardo Carvalho (1), Antonio Chavez (1), Andres Navas (1), Cody Valcarcel (1)
See: USBMNT 1 – Italy 3
~U.S. Men’s Beach Soccer National Team Match Report~
Match: USA Beach Men’s National Team vs. Italy
date: February 15, 2024
competition: 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Group A
venue: Dubai Design District Stadium.dubai, united arab emirates
Attendance: 711
kick off: 6:30 a.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time)
weather: 75 degrees, sunny
Score summary: 1 2 3F
America 1 0 0 1
ITA 2 1 0 3
ITA – Josep Gentilin (Fabio Sciacca) 10:22 (1)cent period)
USA – Connor Rezende 1:22 (1st period)
ITA – Emmanuel Zurlo :43 (1)cent period)
ITA – Marco Giordani (free kick) 4:05 (2)n.d. period)
lineup:
united states of america: 1-Chris Toth (captain); 5-Nico Perea, 8-Connor Rezende, 10-Gabe Silveira, 11-Chris Albiston
Substitute: 2-Tanner Acol, 3-Antonio Chavez, 4-Ricardo Carvalho, 6-Cody Balcarcel, 7-Andres Navas, 9-Alessandro Canale
Didn’t play: 12-Austin Collier
Head coach: Francis Furbelov
it is: 12- Leandro Casapieri. 2- Ovidio Alla, 5- Josep Gentilin, 7- Fabio Sciacca, 11- Marco Giordani
Substitutes: 3-Alessandro Miceli, 4-Gianmarco Genovali, 6-Luca Bertacca, 8-Tommaso Fazzini, 9-Emanuele Zurlo, 10-Alessandro Remedi
Players who did not participate: 1-Andrea Carpita
Head coach: Emiliano del Duca
Summary of fraud:
ITA – Emanuele Zurlo (attention) 2:28 (1)cent period)
ITA – Alessandro Remedi (Caution) 5:51 (2)n.d. period)
USA – Nico Perea (attention) 4:05 (2n.d. period)
USA – Connor Rezende (attention) 6:06 (3rd period)
ITA – Alessandro Remedi (Caution) 1:30 (3rd period)
ITA – Alessandro Remedi (sent off) 1:30 (3rd period)
Persons involved:
Referee: Mariano Romo (ARG)
Second referee: Mikke Palomino (PER)
Third referee: Turki Al Salehi (OMA)
Fourth referee: Abdulaziz Abdullah (KUW)
Timekeeper: Yuichi Hatano (Japan)