U.S. Men’s CP National Team Wins 2023 Parapan American Games Bronze Medal with 3-0 Win over Venezuela
Second Half Brace by Shea Hammond and Another from Frankie Lowery Helps USA Claim Second Straight Bronze at Parapan Am Games
SANTIAGO, Chile (November 25, 2023) - The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team scored three goals in a 16-minute span in the second half to defeat Venezuela 3-0 in the Bronze Medal match at the 2023 Parapan American Games Saturday afternoon at Estadio Bicentaraio de la Florida in southwest Santiago. After a scoreless opening half, Shea Hammond scored twice and Frankie Lowery added another early after the break, while a collective effort helped the USA posted its third straight shutout of the competition. The USA repeats as Bronze medalists after also taking third at the 2019 Parapan Am Games in Peru, also with a win over Venezuela.
On Saturday, the USA was patient in the first half as Venezuela was well-positioned and disciplined in holding its defensive block. John Sullivan tested Venezuela goalkeeper Cristian Romero on a back-post play, and Wes Pincince also nearly put one on frame from a similar spot early on. In effort to draw Venezuela out, he USA also attempted shots from distance, the best coming off the foot of Hammond just before the half, with Romero punching away the 25-yard blast.
The goal finally came shortly into the second half when Sullivan cleared a ball from his own end. With Venezuela playing a high line, Hammond got behind and broke towards goal, slipping the ball by Romero from inside the top of the box.
Hammond doubled the lead five minutes later. Captain and defender Josh Brunais pushed high and got into the box from the right side before dropping a ball back toward the top of the area, where Hammond took his shot well for his fourth goal of the tournament.
The game seemingly in hand, Lowery added an insurance goal not long after. Brunais again started the play from the right, finding Jacob Crumbley near the left endline. Crumbley played the ball back toward the on-rushing Lowery, who placed the ball by Romero for his second of the tournament.
The Bronze is the team’s second international medal after taking hardware in Peru 2019. Next year, the CP MNT will look to build off its fourth-place finish in last year’s World Cup when they return to the international stage at the 2024 IFCPF World Cup in Spain. Brazil took the Parapan Gold Medal with a 1-0 overtime victory against Argentina.
- U.S. MEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: United States Men’s CP National Team vs. Venezuela
Date: November 25, 2023
Competition: Parapan American Games
Venue: Estadio Bicentenario de la Florida
Attendance: TBD
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Weather: 78 degrees; Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 3 3
VEN 0 0 0
USA - Shea Hammond (John Sullivan) 35’
USA - Shea Hammond (Josh Brunais) 41’
USA - Frankie Lowery (Jacob Crumbley) 51’
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sean Boyle, 13-Josh Brunais (captain), 2-Frankie Lowery (8-Drew Bremer, 55), 10-Ben Lindau, 5-John Sullivan (6-Jacob Kaplan, 59), Wes Pincince (3-Jacob Crumbley 45), 14-Shea Hammond (9-Cameron DeLillo, 55)
Substitutes: 12-Marc Estrella, 7-Adam Ballou, 11-Kevin McCandlish
Head Coach: Stuart Sharp
VAN: 1-Cristian Moreno, 3-Edwin Rangel, 5-Javier Parra (9-Jessi Yari, 31), 6-Richard Mogollon, 7-Gabriel Bravo, 8-Robert Chacon (4-Anthony Rea, 30+3), 10-Jose Luis Quintana
Substitutes: 12-Marion Bello, 2-Gabriel Medina, 11-Saul Torres, 13-Stewart Ortiz, 14-Yonfer Zamora
Head coach: Gustavo Pulido
Stats Summary: USA / VEN
Shots: 15 / 2
Shots on Goal: 11 / 1
Saves: 1 / 8
Corner Kicks: 11 / 04
Fouls: 5 / 9
Misconduct Summary:
VEN - Jose Luis Quintana (caution) 39’
VEN - Cristian Moreno (caution) 60+2
Officials:
Referee: Dario Rojas (ARG)
Assistant Referee: Daniel Irarrazabal (CHI)
Assistant Referee: Francisco Moyano (CHI
Fourth Official: Jose San Juan (CHI)