RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil (July 23, 2007) – The U.S. Futsal National Team opened the 2007 Pan American Games with a 5-2 loss to Argentina on July 23 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

Argentina opened the scoring in the ninth minute as Hernan Jose Garcias scored, but Jamar Beasley answered for the U.S. six minutes later. Matias Lucuiz put Argentina back on top before halftime, as the South American power lead 2-1 going into the half.

In the second half, Esteban Gonzalez bookended Joe Hammes’ 27th minute goal with tallies in the 24th and 31st minutes, and Leandro Planas capped off the scoring with a goal in the final minute.

The U.S. continues group play at the Pan Am games on Tuesday, July 24, vs. Ecuador and concludes group play on Wednesday, July 25, vs. Costa Rica.

- Futsal Match Report –

Match: USA vs. Argentina
Competition: 2007 Pan American Games - Group B
Venue: Riocentro Pavillion 3B - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Scoring Summary   1   2   F
USA                             1   1   2
ARG                             2   3   5

ARG – Hernan Jose Garcias    9th minute
USA – Jamar Beasley                15.
ARG – Matias Raul Lucuix         19.
ARG – Esteban Gonzalez           24.
USA – Joe Hammes                   27.
ARG – Esteban Gonzalez           31.
ARG – Leandro Panas               40.

Lineups:
USA: Brett Phillips; John Ball, Jamar Beasley, Pat Morris, Don D’Ambra.
Subs: Dension Cabral, Lee Tschantret, Matt Stewart, Troy Dusosky, Enrique Tovar, Joe Hammes.
Head coach: Keith Tozer

ARG: Santiago Daniel Elias; Diego Raul Giustozzi, Carlos Florentino Sanchez, Hernan Jose Garcias, Esteban Gonzalez.
Subs: Leandro Planas, Jose Luis Costas, Leandro Esteban Cuzzolino, Fernando Wilhelm, Edgardo Amas, Matias Raul Lucuix.
Head coach: Jose Fernando Larranaga

Misconduct Summary:
ARG – Diego Raul Guistozzi     16th minute
USA – Don D’Ambra                   16.
ARG – Carlos Sanchez               32.

Match Officials:
Referee 1: Marco Antonio Marques (BRA)
Referee 2: Vladimir Mazo (CUB)

U.S. Futsal Schedule/Results – Pan-American Games
Date        Opponent     Result/Venue
July 23    Argentina        2-5 L
July 24    Ecuador          Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
July 25    Costa Rica     Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
July 27    Placement      Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
July 28    Placement      Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Group B Standings
Team  W   L  T  PTS GF GA GD
ARG     1    0   0    3    5    2    +3
CRC    1    0   0    3    6    4    +2
ECU     0   1   0    0    4    6    -2
USA      0   1   0    0    2    5    -3