Despite 2-0 Defeat to Germany, U.S. Deaf MNT Advances to Knockout Round at World Championships

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Sept. 27, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team created a flurry of first half chances and hit the post on the other side of halftime, but surrendered a pair of second-half goals and fell 2-0 to Germany in the team’s group stage finale at the 2023 Men’s Deaf Football World Championships in Stadium Selayang on Wednesday. With the defeat, the USA finishes third in Group A and advances to the Round of 16 where it will meet Group D winners England on Friday, Sept. 29.

After Germany controlled the first quarter hour of the match, the USA began to show its dominance in the 19^th minute when Chris Bourdon powered down the left flank and saw his cross looking for Chad Johnson deflected by a defender and off the right post, before being cleared away by a Germany defender.

Three minutes later, Raul Silva intercepted a pass just inside the U.S. half and sprung JP Kanashiro toward goal. The speedy attacker eased by one German defender before cutting onto his left and unleashing a powerful, low effort that was well held by ‘keeper David Seiberlich.

Goalkeeper Erik Jaspers started the next opportunity in the 27^th minute when his goal kick was brought down by Johnson and played to the right for Thomas Salvi. The winger switch fields, swinging a clever ball to Bourdon on the left, who took a touch before rocketing a 30-yard effort that Seiberlich had to push over the bar.

Bourdon was at it again twice more before halftime. In the 34^th minute, he again broke free down the left flank, beating a man before hitting a tight angled effort that was turned away by Seiberlich. Four minutes later, he earned a free kick after being fouled 20 yards out, with his ensuing opportunity parried away again by the Germany netminder.

Germany nearly found the go-ahead goal three minutes into the second half when Tobias Berg ran on to a through ball and into the box alone. The striker took one touch, but U.S. goalkeeper Erik Jaspers was quick off his line to turn the effort out for a corner kick. Berg came even closer 10 minutes later, when his left-footed shot from the top of the box beat Jaspers, but pinged off the right post and out for a goal kick.

The USA hit the woodwork themselves in the 68^th minute. After winning a corner kick, Kanashiro’s take from the right found center back Kevin Fitzgerald, who rose above traffic to glance a header that trickled through the box and clanged off the left post before going out for a goal kick.

After both teams traded chances, Germany broke the deadlock in the 73^rd minute. Steven Nowark collected the ball in midfield and slid it to his left for Alexander Peters before darting centrally toward the penalty area. Peters slid Robin Bayer in on the left, where his shot was turned away by Jaspers, but Nowark was there on the doorstep to slam home the rebound.

Germany then caught the USA out in transition as the team pushed forward for a late equalizer. Tobias Berg controlled the ball in midfield before threading a pass for Nowark who cut into the box on the right before sending his effort inside the left post in the 87^th minute.

In the day’s other Group A match, Egypt edged hosts Malaysia 1-0 to finish top of Group A. 

Next Up: By virtue of the USA’s third-place finish, the team advances to the Round of 16 where it will meet Group D winners England on Friday, Sept. 29 at UITM Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. England earned a perfect 3-0-0 record in Group D, defeating Australia 4-1, Nigeria 5-1, and Gabon 5-0. England-USA will kick off at 8:30 a.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local) and is expected to stream live via the Malaysia Deaf Sports Association’s YouTube Channel.

WATCH: USDMNT 0, GERMANY 2 | SEPT. 27, 2023

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

Match: U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team vs. Germany
Date: September 27, 2023
Competition: 2023 DIFA Men’s Deaf Football World Championships
Venue: Stadium Selayang; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kickoff: 8:30 a.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local)
Weather: 86 degrees; clear

Scoring Summary:    1          2          F         

USA                             0          0          0         
GER                             0          2          2

GER – Steven Nowark                                      73^rd minute
GER – Steven Nowark (Tobias Berg)            87                                   

Lineups:

USA: 12-Erik Jaspers; 2-David Dircio (19-Arthur Goncalves, 82) 16-Kevin Fitzpatrick (18-Luke Haubruge, 90+3), 5-Will Frentz (capt.), 3-Eddie Perry; 9-Thomas Salvi (22-Michael Schmid, 46), 17-Tate Lancaster (20-Kelly Grant, 82), 10-Raul Silva (6-Trip Neil, 76), 7-Chris Bourdon; 11-JP Kanashiro; 13-Chad Johnson

Subs not used: 1-Eric Setzer, 21-Samuel Lang, 8-Braden Anderson, 14-Dawson Anderson 15-Jullian Mitchell,

Not dressed: 4-Tristan Torbett

Head Coach: David Kunitz

GER: 1-David Seiberlich, 4-Julian Hoffmeyer, 5-Andreas Fischer (capt.) (2-Marcus Seeburger, 85), 6-Andre Zapf, 7-Steven Nowark (14-Marlon Seeburger, 88), 9-Alexanders Peters (8-Nico Knappe, 88), 10-Kevin Bayer (13-Robert Hofman, 85), 19-Tobias Berg, 20-Fabian Kuppe, 21-Robin Plank (12-Robin Bayer, 70), 22-Marc Eisenberg

Subs not used: 23-Eric Niekamp, 3-Marc Christ, 11-Dennis Karczewski, 15-Ismael Mueller

Head Coach: Stefan Federico

Stats Summary: USA / GER                                   

Shots: 13 / 10
Shots on Goal: 6 / 5
Saves: 4 / 5
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 8
Offside: 2 / 2

Misconduct Summary:

USA – Raul Silva (caution)    58^th minute
USA – Will Frentz (caution)   69

Officials:

N/A

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.