Power Soccer NT Wins 5-0 vs. Australia in World Cup Opener

SYDNEY, Australia (Oct. 15, 2023) – The U.S. Power Soccer National Team put in a dominant team performance, defeating host nation Australia 5-0 in front of 1,191 spectators in the opening match of the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup on at Quaycentre on Sunday.

Making his senior international and World Cup debut, winger Zach Dickey recorded a brace, bookending the scoring with the first and fifth goals, while Riley Johnson, Jordan Dickey and fellow World Cup debutant Lexi Heer also found the back of the net.

Set piece specialist Pete Winslow provided three assists, all on set pieces, while Heer also collected an assist on Dickey’s closing goal.

Substitute Peyton Sefick also proved big on the defensive end, denying Australia’s Rebecca Evans’ clear-cut chance in the 34th minute and combined with goalkeeper Nathan Mayer to help ensure the U.S. kept the clean sheet.

NEXT UP: The USA has its first two-match day when it faces France in a rematch of the 2017 FIPFA World Cup Final on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. ET (Monday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. AEDT), The team’s second match comes against Northern Ireland at 10 p.m. ET Sunday in the U.S. and 1 p.m. AEDT. Both matches will be streamed live via @FIPFAPowerChairWorldCup2023 on YouTube.

WATCH: USA 5, Australia 0 | Oct. 15, 2023

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

USA – Zach Dickey, 4^th minute – The USA found its first goal early after Australia goalkeeper Tristam Peters came out to take a free kick at midfield, Zach Dickey intercepted the ball and hit a long shot into the empty net, tallying his first goal in his first senior international appearance for the U.S. Power Soccer National Team. AUS 0, USA 1

USA – Riley Johnson (Pete Winslow), 9^th minute – After Australia was whistled for a two-on-one, the USA grabbed its first of three set piece goals. Pete Winslow’s played a short spin kick to Riley Johnson who powered his effort through a Socceroos defender and the right post to give the USA a two-goal lead. AUS 0, USA 2

USA – Jordan Dickey (Pete Winslow), 15^th minute - The USA executed another excellent set piece for the third goal. Subbed on right before the free kick, Pete Winslow’s spin kick from the right found Jordan Dickey streaking through the area where he gave the USA a three-goal lead. AUS 0, USA 3

USA – Lexi Heer (Pete Winslow), 32^nd minute – After Pete Winslow won a free kick in the USA’s defensive end, he swung a long past towards Lexi Heer speeding up the right flank, where she poked home just inside the right post. AUS 0, USA 4

USA – Zach Dickey (Lexi Heer), 36^th minute – After Lexi Heer controlled the ball on the right end line, she cleverly slotted a pass to Dickey who poked home his second of the match at the near post. AUS 0, USA 5 FINAL.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• The U.S. Power Soccer National Team moves to 18-2-2 in FIPFA World Cup play and 29-2-2 in 33 all-time matches. 
• The U.S. kept its 16^th shutout in 22 World Cup matches, and its 24 clean sheet in 33 internationals.
• Substitute striker Pete Winslow collected three assists, all coming on set pieces.
• Starting winger Zach Dickey registered two goals in his senior international debut for the U.S. Power Soccer National Team.
• Substitute winger Lexi Heer tallied a goal and assist in her first appearance at the Powerchair Football World Cup after previously appearing at the 2014 Copa America.
• Co-captains Jordan Dickey and Riley Johnson added the game’s other two goals.
• The USA also improves to 3-0-0 against Australia and 6-0-0 against host nations in official tournaments.
• This was the first meeting between the USA and Australia in Power Soccer since two matches played at the 2014 Copa America in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The USA defeated Australia 4-1 in the group stage, before earning a 6-0 win in the tournament final.

-U.S. Power soccer National team match report-

Match: U.S. Power Soccer National Team vs. Australia
Date: October 14, 2023 (October 15, 2023 locally)
Competition: 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup
Venue: Quaycentre; Sydney, Australia
Attendance: 1,191
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 14 (1 p.m. local time on Sunday, Oct. 15)

Scoring Summary:   1          2          F
AUS                             0          0          0
USA                             3          2          5

USA – Zach Dickey                                          4^th minute
USA – Riley Johnson                                       9
USA – Jordan Dickey (Pete Winslow)         15
USA – Lexi Heer (Pete Winslow)                  32
USA – Zach Dickey (Lexi Heer)                     36

Lineups:
USA: 2-Nathan Mayer; 3-Jordan Dickey (Capt.), 10-Riley Johnson, 11-Zach Dickey
Substitutes: 5-Lexi Heer, 8-Peyton Sefick, 9-Pete Winslow
Did not play: 4-Natalie Russo-Dickey
Head coach: Tracy Mayer

AUS: 2-Tristam Peters; 5-Dimitri Liolio-Davis (Capt.), 6-Joshua Merkas, 7-Abdula Karim
Substitutes: 3-Rebecca Evans, 8-Christopher Suffield, 10-Christopher Turnbul, 23-Luke David
Head coach: Peter Turnbull

Stats Summary: AUS / USA
Shots: 14 / 3
Saves:  0 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
none

Officials: 
Referee: Leonardo Frega (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Nurdin Sabovic (AUT)
Assistant Referee 2: Carolyn Bean (ENG)
4th Official: Mike Whalsten (FIN)

ABOUT POWERCHAIR SOCCER

The U.S. Power Soccer National Team features male and female athletes with disabilities that include quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy, among others. The game is played in a gymnasium on a regulation basketball court with four players who attack, defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch soccer ball in a skilled and challenging game similar to mainstream soccer.

Power Soccer is the first competitive team sport developed specifically for power wheelchair users and has been played internationally since 2006. Thie 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup marks the first world championship event for the U.S. Power Soccer National Team under U.S. Soccer supervision. The team officially became part of the Extended National Teams program in 2022 as part of U.S. Soccer's effort to build out programming for soccer in all of its forms.

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.