Chad Johnson Brace Pushes U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team To 3-2 Win vs. Malaysia in World Championships Opener

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Sept. 23, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team utilized a first-half brace from Chad Johnson and a single strike from Trip Neil to defeat tournament hosts Malaysia 3-2 in the team’s opening match of the 2023 Men’s World Deaf Football Championship at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium on Saturday. The match was the first in official competition for the USMDNT as an Extended National Team under the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The USA ran out to an early 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes as Chad Johnson bagged two goals in back-to-back minutes. Johnson earned a penalty and then converted his spot kick in the ninth, before hitting home a second goal from outside the area less than a minute later. Johnson, who came into the match tied with teammate Michael Schmid for the team’s all-time goal scoring lead, took over sole possession of the top spot with 13 goals to his name since beginning international play in 2019.

The USA continued to pour on pressure and grabbed a third goal in the 36^th minute when Trip Neil cleaned things up from six yards out after Christopher Bourdon’s corner kick pinged around the box.

Malaysia bounced back in the second half as long range efforts from Aiman Muhammad (65^th minute) and Muhammad Abd Azis (78^th minute) made for a tense end to the match, but the USA backline held strong with goalkeeper Eric Setzer to ensure the 3-2 victory.

By virtue of Egypt’s 3-1 win against Germany earlier on Saturday, the USA sits second in Group A on goal differential.

The USA can take over top spot in the group when it meets Egypt on Matchday Two on Monday, Sept. 25. Kickoff from MPAJ Stadium in Kuala Lumpur is set for 8:30 a.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local) and will be streamed live the Malaysia Deaf Sports Association’s YouTube Channel.

WATCH: USDMNT 3, Malaysia 2 | Sept. 23, 2023

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

USA – Chad Johnson (penalty kick), 9^th minute: Michael Schmid played a brilliant through ball to put Johnson into the box alone where he touched the ball to the left of Muhammad bin Sulaman before the Malaysia ‘keeper dragged him down in the seventh minute. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot and Johnson sent the ‘keeper the wrong way as he slotted inside the left post. USA 1, MAS 0

USA – Chad Johnson (unassisted), 10^th minute: The second goal came just one minute later. After Michael Schmid’s penetrating run toward the box was broken up, JP Kanashiro controlled the ball and played a square pass for Johnson on the right. Initially trying to play a pass into the box, the ball came back to Johnson who hit a low, left-footed effort from just outside the area and inside the right post. USA 2, MAS 0

USA – Trip Neil (unassisted), 36^th minute: A corner kick on the left from Christopher Bourdon found Schmid at the top of the box and he nodded his effort to Johnson on the right. Already with two goals to his name, Johnson missed on his attempt, but the ball fell for Neil who won a challenge with a Malaysia defender before volleying home a right-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box. USA 3, MAS 0

MAS - Aiman Muhammad (Muhammed Kamaruzaman), 65^th minute: The hosts pulled a goal back midway through halftime when Kamaruzaman won the ball at midfield and slid it to Aiman Muhammad who beat one U.S. defender before curing a beautiful left-footed effort inside the right post from 25 yards. USA 3, MAS 1

MAS - Muhammad Abd Azis, 78^th minute: Muhammad Abd Azis ran onto a ball on the left flank and unchallenged, lofted a long-distance, looping effort that sneaked under the crossbar. USA 3, MAS 2 FINAL.

- U.S. MEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT -

Match: U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team vs. Malaysia
Date: September 23, 2023
Competition: 2023 DIFA Men’s Deaf Football World Championships
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kickoff: 9 a.m. ET (9 p.m. local)
Weather: 82 degrees; clear
Attendance:

Scoring Summary:    1          2          F         

USA                            3          0          3         
MAS                           0          2          2

USA – Chad Johnson (penalty kick)                                        9^th minute
USA – Chad Johnson                                                                  10
USA – Trip Neil                                                                            36
MAS – Aiman Muhammad (Muhammed Kamaruzaman)    65
MAS – Muhammad Abd Azis                                                     78                                   

Lineups:

USA: 1-Eric Setzer, 2-David Dircio, 3-Eddie Perry, 5-Will Frentz (capt.), 6-Trip Neil (14-Dawson Anderson, 86), 7-Christopher Bourdon, 11-JP Kanashiro (8-Braden Anderson, 46) 13-Chad Johnson (10-Raul Silva, 67), 16-Kevin Fitzpatrick, 17-Tate Lancaster, 22-Michael Schmid

Subs not used: 12-Erik Jaspers, 21-Samuel Lang, 9-Thomas Salvi, 15-Jullian Mitchell, 18-Luke Haubruge, 19-Arthur Goncalves, 20-Kelly Grant
Not dressed: 4-Tristan Torbett

Head Coach: David Kunitz

MAS: 22-Muhammad Bin Sulaman, 5-Syafiq Muhammad, 6-Muhammed Kamaruzaman, 9-Mak Chee Weng, 10-Muhammad Fauzi, 11-Razilawali Wahab (25-Azhar Muhammad, 73), 13-Muhammad Zumar Bin Azman, 16-Surrendar Subramaniam (18-Mohamad Roslee, 73), 19-Evaristus Edelson 21-Muhammad Abd Azis, 24-Muhammad Zamir Bin Azman

Subs not used: 7-Mohamed Zamery, 8-Aniq Muqri Megat,, 12-Daniel Norafendi, 14-Francis Dojnester, 15-Aiman Muhammad, 17-Ahmad Reuaz, 20-Mohd Abdullah, 23-Mohammad Razali,

Head Coach: Razak Majid

Misconduct Summary:

USA - Kevin Fitzpatrick (caution) 90+4

Officials:

Referee: Razlan Jofri Ali (MAS)
Assistant Referee 1: Muhammad Farhan Aziz (MAS)
Assistant Referee 2: Bazrul Hissam Zainul (MAS)
Fourth Official: Tuan Mohd Yaasin (MAS)
Referee Assistant: Abd Basith Hamid (MAS)

About Deaf Soccer

Deaf soccer is contested by deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Under international criteria, players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their better ear. Hearing loss below this level has been shown to negatively impact hearing. All players competing in deaf matches must remove all hearing aids before playing.

For more information on the sport or to inquire about athlete eligibility, please contact U.S. Soccer's Extended National Teams Department via email at extendednt@ussoccer.org.