U.S. Futsal National Team Wins 2022 Umag Nations Cup
USA Defeated Czech Republic U21s, Slovenia U21s and France U23s in Friendly Tournament in Croatia; Also Went 2-0-1 in Three Friendly Matches
CHICAGO, Ill. (Oct. 11, 2022) – The U.S. Men’s Futsal National Teams won the 2022 Umag Nations Cup 2022 in Croatia after defeating the Czech Republic U21s (5-3), Slovenia U21s (5-2) and France U23s (5-3) in the friendly tournament played at the Novigrad Sports Hall.
The FNT also played three friendly matches during the two-week trip, tying and defeating Montenegro’s full team prior the tournament, and beating the Czech Republic U21s again on the last day. Ten players made their USA debuts as the team went undefeated over the six matches.
Oct. 4: USA 3-3 Montenegro (Friendly #1)
Raphael Araujo put the USA up midway through the opening half by finishing a nice set up from Luciano Gonzalez. Araujo doubled the lead before the break by jumping on a rebound off the goalkeepers hands from a corner kick. Montenegro leveled with quick goals in the second half on Diego Moretti. Zach Reget put the USA back ahead with a shot through the goalkeepers legs off a long pass from Diego Burato, though Montenegro would tie it late on a back post shot from a flying goalkeeper possession. Six players made their USA international debuts.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
MNE 0 3 3
USA - Raphael Araujo (L. Gonzalez) 10th Minute
USA - Raphael Araujo (unassisted) 17’
MNE - Filip Markovic 26’
MNE - Kenan Tafic 28’
USA - Zach Reget (D. Burato) 29’
MNE - Ivan Asanovic 37’
Lineups: * = USA Debuts
USA: 12-Robert Damron, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 9-Raphael Araujo, 10-David Ortiz, 15-Luciano Gonzalez
Substitutes: 1-Diego Moretti, * 2-Manuel Andrade, * 5-Sebastian Mendez, * 7-Diego Burato, 8-Zach Reget, 9-Raphael Araujo, 13-Diego Bobadilla, * 14-Klisman Sousa, * 16-Erik Macias, * 21-Wilder Arboleda
Inactive: 6-Jeremy Klepal, 13-William Eskay, 11-Ado Jahic, 22-Christopher Moura (gk), 24-Luiz Morales, 25-Franck Tayou
Head coach: Dusan Jakica
MNE: 1-Milin Sekulic, 4-Ivan Asanovic, 5-Filip Markovic, 6-Milos Koprivica, 7-David Puiletic
Substitutes: 12-Borisav Cirkovic, 2-Kenan Tafic, 3-Goran Delic, 9-Pavle Vukcevic, 16-Lazar Milanovic, 20-Luka Zivkovic
Head coach: Ljesar Sveto
Misconduct Summary:
USA - Erik Macias (caution) 24th Minute
MNE - David Puiletic (ejection) 32’
Oct 5: USA 3-1 Montenegro (Friendly #2)
After going down early on a defensive miscue, Luciano Gonzales roofed a short corner from Diego Burato to level for his seventh career goal. Newcomer Luiz Morales then scored his first international goal at the back post on a flying possession that included Burato, Gonzalez, David Ortiz and Sebastian Mendez. Veteran Alencar Ventura-Junior scored his first USA goal in the second half to ice the match, which saw four more players make the USA debuts, including goalkeeper Christopher Moura, who held Montenegro scoreless in the second half.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
MNE 1 0 1
MNE - Pavle Vukcevic 7th Minute
USA - Luciano Gonzalez (D. Burato) 9’
USA - Luiz Morales (D. Burato) 16’
USA - Alencar Ventura-Junior 32’
Lineups: * = USA Debuts
USA: 1-Diego Moretti, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 9-Raphael Araujo, 10-David Ortiz, 15-Luciano Gonzalez
Substitutes: *22-Christopher Moura, 2-Manuel Andrade, *3-William Eskay, 5-Sebastian Mendez, 7-Diego Burato, 9-Raphael Araujo, *11-Ado Jahic, 13-Diego Bobadilla, 14-Klisman Sousa, *24-Luiz Morales, 25-Franck Tayou
Subs Not Used: 12-Robert Damron
Inactive: 6-Jeremy Klepal, 8-Zach Reget 16-Erik Macias, 21-Wilder Arboleda
Head coach: Dusan Jakica
MNE: 1-Milin Sekulic, 4-Ivan Asanovic, 5-Filip Markovic, 6-Milos Koprivica, 7-David Puiletic
Substitutes: 12-Borisav Cirkovic, 2-Kenan Tafic, 3-Goran Delic, 9-Pavle Vukcevic, 16-Lazar Milanovic, 20-Luka Zivkovic
Head coach: Ljesar Sveto
Misconduct Summary:
USA - Luiz Morales (caution) 18th Minute
MNE - Milos Koprivica (caution) 34’
Oct 7: USA 5-3 Czech Republic U21s (Umag Nations Cup)
USA Pivo Zach Reget opened the scoring on a nice turn and shot from 12 yards, but the Czech Republic would answer immediately. Diego Burato then scored his first two USA goals - first on a back post pass from Luciano Gonzalez, then by converting a penalty drawn by Luiz Morales. The teams traded goals in the second, with William Eskay notching his debut goal, and David Ortiz sealing the game with his debut goal. The game saw eight yellow cards, with two Czech players ejected.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 2 5
CZE 1 2 3
USA - Zach Reget 8th Minute
CZE - Matēj Maur �� 8’
USA - Diego Burato (L. Gonzalez)12’
USA - Diego Burato (PK) 17’
CZE - Tarik Luksija 24’
USA - William Eskay 28’
CZE - Zdenek Sita 35’
USA - David Ortiz 39'
Lineups:
USA: 1-Diego Moretti, 2-Manuel Andrade, 6-Jeremy Klepal, 8-Zach Reget, 15-Luciano Gonzalez
Substitutes: 3-William Eskay, 5-Sebastian Mendez, 7-Diego Burato, 9-Raphael Araujo, 10-David Ortiz, 14-Klisman Sousa, 16-Erik Macias, 24-Luiz Morales,
Subs Not Used: 12-Robert Damron
Inactive: 22-Christopher Moura, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 11-Ado Jahic, 13-Diego Bobadilla, 21-Wilder Arboleda, 25-Franck Tayou
Head coach: Dusan Jakica
CZE: 16-Jan Žežulka, 7-Zdenek Sita, 8-Matēj Maur, 9-Adam Knobloch, 10-Dominik Balog
Substitutes: 1-Martin Dzudza, 2-Jan Gajdos, 3-Filip Tilinger, 5-Daniel Hajas, 11-Tarik Luksija, 12-Tomas Kuchta, 14-Jiri Zapotocky, 18-Jaraslav Zapotocky
Inactive: 6-Marek Vojtisek
Head coach: Marek Kopecky
Misconduct Summary:
CZE - 12-Tomas Kuchta (caution) 5th Minute
CZE - 12-Tomas Kuchta (ejection) 11’
USA - Sebastian Mendez (caution) 11’
USA - Raphael Araujo (caution) 12’
CZE - Matēj Maur (caution) 15’
CZE - Matēj Maur (2nd caution) 25’
CZE - Zdenek Sita (caution) 38’
USA - David Ortiz (caution) 40’
Referee 1: Jordan Feltesse; Referee 2: Alen Bozic; Referee 3: Josh Wilkens
Oct. 9: USA 5-2 Slovenia U21s (Umag Nations Cup)
Slovenia took the early lead, but the USA drew level when William Eskay’s corner kick was inadvertently redirected in for an own goal. With the USA having committed six fouls, goalkeeper Robert Damron stopped two Slovenia second penalty kicks to keep the score even before Luiz Morales put the U.S. ahead with a rip from the left flank. David Ortiz extended the lead early in the second half with a goalmouth tap-in after Sebastian Mendez’s shot was slowed by the goalkeeper. Zach Reget put the game away late with two 30-yards shots on empty nets as Slovenia pressed with the flying goalkeeper.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 2 5
SVN 1 2 3
SVN - Rok Snofl 7th Minute
USA - Own Goal (Timi Debeljak) 5’
USA - Luiz Morales 18’
USA - David Ortiz 25’
SVN - Tilen Rajter 36’
USA - Zach Reget 39’
USA - Zach Reget 40’
Lineups:
USA: 12-Robert Damron, 3-William Eskay, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 6-Jeremy Klepal (captain), 8-Zach Reget
Substitutes: 5-Sebastian Mendez, 10-David Ortiz, 11-Ado Jahic, 16-Erik Macias, 21-Wilder Arboleda, 24-Luiz Morales, Franck Tayou
Subs Not Used: 22-Christopher Moura
Inactive: 1-Diego Moretti, 2-Manuel Andrade, 7-Diego Burato, 9-Raphael Araujo, 15-Luciano Gonzalez, 14-Klisman Sousa
Head coach: Dusan Jakica
SVN: 1-Nik Ambrozic, 3-Jure Suban, 7-Timi Debeljak, 8-Tod Ciuha, 11-Aleksander Stanic
Substitutes: 12-Ziga Menard, 4-Rok Snofl, 5-Gasper Trdin, 6-Tilen Rajter, 9-Patrik Ostredkar, 10-Ziga Knezevic Mrak, 13-Adrijan Trstenjak, 15-Nik Plestenjak
Head coach: Milivoje Simeunovic
Misconduct Summary:
SVN - Patrik Ostredkar (caution) 4th Minute
SVN - Aleksander Stanic (caution)10’
SVN - Ziga Knezevic Mrak (caution)11’
SVN - Tilen Rajter (caution) 32’
USA - Luiz Morales (caution) 33’
SVN - Gasper Trdin (caution) 34’
SVN - Timi Debeljak (caution) 39’
Referee 1: Jordan Feltesse; Referee 2: Alen Bozic; Referee 3: Josh Wilkens
Oct. 10: USA 5-3 France (Umag Nations Cup)
Zach Reget scored twice and Luiz Morales recorded his first career hat-trick to lead the USA over France in the final game of Umag Nations Cup. Reget put the USA ahead early, though France tied it less than a minute later. France committed it’s sixth foul with three minutes left, setting Morales up for his first goal, a powerful strike from the second penalty spot. Morales added another powerful shot from the left just before the break, but once again France pulled one back seconds later. Morales completed his trick halfway through the second with a similar left-footed blast, and Reget again scored late from distance on an empty net to secure the Cup.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 2 5
FRA 2 1 3
USA - Zach Reget (L. Gonzalez) 3rd Minute
FRA - Haoues Betgha 10’
USA - Luiz Morales (2nd PK) 17’
USA - Luiz Morales 20’
FRA - Nama Traore 20’
USA - Luiz Morales 29’
FRA - Jerome Pasquier 31’
USA - Zach Reget 36’
Lineups:
USA: 1-Diego Moretti, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 7-Diego Burato, 8-Zach Reget, 15-Luciano Gonzalez
Substitutes: 2-Manuel Andrade, 5-Sebastian Mendez, 6-Jeremy Klepal, 9-Raphael Araujo, 10-David Ortiz, 14-Klisman Sousa, 16-Erik Macias, 24-Luiz Morales
Subs Not Used: 12-Robert Damron
Inactive: 22-Christopher Moura, 3-William Eskay, 11-Ado Jahic, 13-Diego Bobadilla, 21-Wilder Arboleda, 25-Franck Tayou
Head coach: Dusan Jakica
FRA: 16-Faysal Jallouli, 5-Anatole Melaine, 7-Nama Traore, 8-Jerome Pasquier, 10-Haoues Betgha
Substitutes: 1-Thibault Garros, 3-Matthieu Faupin, 6-Amine Bencherif, 9-Theo Reynaud, 11-Tanguy Mokwaka, 14-Inza Kone, 17-Houmany Dembele, 19-Abdoul Ndiaye, 21-Ibrahima Niakate
Head coach: Benoit Subrin
Misconduct Summary:
FRA - Anatole Melaine (caution) 11th Minute
USA - Diego Moretti (caution) 10’
FRA - Houmany Dembele (caution) 13’
FRA - Amine Bencherif (caution) 16’
USA - Raphael Araujo (caution) 33’
Referee 1: Alen Bozic; Referee 2: Josh Wilkens; Referee 3: Jordan Feltesse
Oct. 11: USA 3-1 Czech Republic U21s (Friendly #3)
USA Ala William Eskay put the USA up halfway through the first half with his second of the week on a tap-in off an Ado Jahic corner kick. Manuel Andrade then scored his debut goal, finishing a nice build up that started in the back with Klisman Sousa finding Wilder Arboleda on the right, who sent the ball across to Andrade to finish. Czech Republic pulled one back in the second half, but Raphael Araujo scored from distance on an empty for fourth career goal and secure the team’s six-game unbeaten run over the two-week trip.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 1 3
CZE 0 1 1
USA - William Eskay (A. Jahic) 11th Minute
USA - Manuel Andrade (W. Arboleda) 13’
CZE - Tomas Kuchta 29’
USA - Raphael Araujo 37’
Lineups:
USA: 22-Christopher Moura, 5-Sebastian Mendez, -Raphael Araujo, 13-Diego Bobadilla, 16-Erik Macias
Substitutes: 2-Manuel Andrade, 3-William Eskay, 6-Jeremy Klepal, 11-Ado Jahic, 14-Klisman Sousa, 15-Luciano Gonzalez, 21-Wilder Arboleda, 25-Franck Tayou
Subs Not Used: 1-Diego Moretti
Inactive: 12-Robert Damron, 4-Alencar Ventura-Junior, 7-Diego Burato, 8-Zach Reget, 10-David Ortiz, 24-Luiz Morales
Head coach: Dusan Jakica
CZE: 1-Martin Dzudza, 5-Daniel Hajas, 9-Adam Knobloch, 10-Dominik Balog, 12-Tomas Kuchta
Substitutes: 16-Jan Žežulka, 2-Jan Gajdos, 3-Filip Tilinger, 7-Zdenek Sita, 8-Matēj Maur, 11-Tarik Luksija,14-Jiri Zapotocky, 18-Jaraslav Zapotocky
Inactive: 6-Marek Vojtisek
Head coach: Marek Kopecky
Misconduct Summary:
CZE - Anatole Melaine (caution) 11th Minute
USA - Diego Moretti (caution) 10’
Referee Josh Wilkens; Referee 2: Jordan Feltesse