U.S. Men’s CP National Team Drop Second Parapan Match 2-0 to Brazil
USA to Close Out Group Play Against Venezuela and Canada Wednesday and Thurs-day with a Chance at a Medal Round Match Still in Play
SANTIAGO, Chile (November 20, 2023) - The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team lost a hard-fought group stage match to Brazil 2-0 Monday night at the 2023 Parapan American Games. The South American’s scored in stoppage time of the first half and three minutes into the second, and withstood a strong USA performance in a rematch of the 2022 IFPCP World Cup third-place game, which Brazil also took by a 2-0 scoreline.
The U.S. sits in fifth place after three games, having lost close matches to Argentina and Brazil, the current group leaders. The USA has Tuesday off before closing out the six-team round-robin group stage against Venezuela and Canada on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. The top four teams will play for Gold, Silver and Bronze on Saturday.
STANDINGS AND RESULTS - VIEW HERE
Already without Wes Pincince and Kevin McCandlish, who were issued red cards on Saturday against Argentina, the USA learned early Monday that defenders Frankie Lowery and Jacob Kaplan would also be unavailable due to health concerns.
The adversity didn’t phase a focused U.S. side, which nearly went ahead in the third minute. Shea Hammond did well to advance a ball to the right endline before attempting a cross that the Brazilian goalkeeper Moacir Silva Matos swatted down. The ball fell in the path of on-rushing Josh Brunais, whose one-time hit was nicely saved by Matos at the near post.
USA goalkeeper Sean Boyle parried away a Evandro de Oliveira shot in the ninth minute, and Hammond’s speed and hustle forced Brazil to keep numbers back.
The well-positioned U.S. side was composed in possession and alert defensively, appearing to frustrate the South American’s for much of the first half. The Brazilian’s made two rare substitutions in just the 20th minute, and the addition of Cesar Batista paid off. Batista tested Boyle shortly after coming on, then slipped behind two defenders and tucked away a nice through-ball to the near post in first half stoppage time to open the scoring.
Brazil doubled its lead shortly after the break on a quick counter down the right after a Boyle goal kick, with Matheus Cardoso finishing from left of center.
Later in the half, Hammond nearly got one back on a nice turn in front of goal, but Matos made a great save at the near post. The game remained open for most of the half, but both defenses did well to keep threats at bay.
The USA will next face Venezuela on Wednesday (12:30 pm ET) and Canada on Thursday (3:00 pm ET).
- U.S. MEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: United States Men’s CP National Team vs. Brazil
Date: November 20, 2023
Competition: Parapan American Games
Venue: Estadio Bicentenario de la Florida
Attendance: TBD
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 72 degrees; Clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
BRA 1 1 2
BRA - Cesar Batista 30+1’
BRA - Matheus Cardoso 33’
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sean Boyle, 13-Josh Brunais (Captain), 8-Drew Bremer (7-Adam Ballou, 57), 10-Ben Lindau, 5-John Sullivan, 14-Shea Hammond (9-Cameron DeLillo, 53), 3-Jacob Crumbley
Substitutes: 12-Marc Estrella
Not Available: 2-Frankie Lowery, 6-Jacob Kaplan
Suspended: 4-Wes Pincince, 11-Kevin McCandlish
Head Coach: Stuart Sharp
BRA: 1-Moacir Silva Matos, 3-Heitor Ramires, 5-Jefferson Luiz da Silva (4-Joao de Araujo, 57), 7-Ubirajara Da Silva Magalhaes, 8-Evandro de Oliveira (10-Cesar Batista, 20), 11-Matheus Cardoso (2-Angelo dos Santos Mota, 45), 14-Lucas da Silva (6-Leonardo Morais, 20)
Substitutes: 9-Jefferson Miranda, 12-Bruno da Silva Ayva, 13-Thomasson Pereira
Head coach: Paulo Cabral
Stats Summary: USA / BRA
Shots: 8 / 18
Shots on Goal: 3 / 10
Saves: 8 / 3
Corner Kicks: 1 / 8
Fouls: 7 / 5
Misconduct Summary:
BRA - Ubirajara Da Silva Magalhaes (caution) 17
USA - John Sullivan (caution) 27
Officials:
Referee: Dario Rojas (ARG)
Assistant Referee: Daniel Irarrazabal (CHI)
Assistant Referee: Jose Juan (CHI)
Fourth Official: Manuel Mendez (CHI