SALOU, Spain (November 22, 2024) - The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team scored a late goal to draw level - then twice early in the first half of extra time - and held on to defeat Germany 4-3 Friday morning to claim seventh place at the 2024 IFCPF World Cup.
Shea Hammond notched a first-half tying goal, then assisted on Jacob Crumbley’s equalizer with four minutes to play. Gavin Kohner then put the USA ahead in the first minute of extra time - becoming the seventh different U.S. player to score in this year’s competition. Crumbley then extended the lead shortly after with his team-leading fifth goal of the tournament. Germany got one back, but the USA held on to win the first meeting between these two nations in CP Soccer.
Lindau, the team captain, was joined by Wes Pincince as the only two USA players to start all six matches at this World Cup. Lindau played every minute, while Pincince played all but 30. Crumbley (five starts) and Hammond (four starts) also played in all six games, while John Sullivan and Marc Estrella started the five matches in which they appeared.
Crumbley’s five goals led the team, followed by Lindau and Hammond with three each, Pincince, Kaplan and Nick Mayhugh with two apiece, and Chileshe Chitulangoma and Kohner both scoring once.
With strong winds impacting play, both teams did well in attempting to keep the ball on the ground. However Germany took the lead when Nick Homfeldt broke down the left and finished nice solo effort at the near post.
The USA level minutes later, when Hammond redirected Lindau’s driven corner kick at the near post past German goalkeeper Christian Eidenhardt. It was his team-leading fourth goal of the tournament.
Tied coming out of the half, both goalkeepers made spectacular saves in the first minute, with Estrella tipping a shot from Robin Meyer over the crossbar, and Eidenhardt denying Sullivan from 18 yards out.
Germany took its second lead off the foot of Thomas Beyer from the top of the arc past a diving Estrella.
The USA sought the equalizer and it finally came with four minutes to play. Estrella took a quick throw to Hammond who advanced the ball down the left flank, drawing a defender before squaring it to the center of the box where Crumbley’s shot took a slight deflection off a defender as the ‘keeper dove the other way.
The USA then took its first lead on a nice team play off the opening whistle of the first extra time period, as all six field players worked the ball around, with Hammond playing Crumbley at the top of the box, where he left it for Kohner to finish from close range.
Minutes later Crumbley scored what turned out to be the winning goal. Kohner this time took a shot from the left that Eidenhardt saved low to his right, the ball falling to an unmarked Crumbley at the back post to put away.
Germany got one back when Tim Schroder ripped a shot from just inside the arc, but the USA managed the final overtime period well to preserve the victory.
Match: United States Men’s CP National Team vs. Germany
Date: Nov. 22, 2024
Competition: 2024 IFCPF World Cup – Group C
Venue: Mediterranean Sports Village; Salou, Spain
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. local (3:30 a.m. ET)
Weather: 52 degrees, windy
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | ET1 | ET2 | F |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| ARG | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| GER - Nick Homfeldt | 18th minute |
| USA - Shea Hammond (Ben Lindau) | 20 |
| GER - Thomas Beyer | 42 |
| USA - Jacob Crumbley (Shea Hammond) | 56 |
| USA - Gavin Kohner (Jacob Crumbley) | 61 |
| USA - Jacob Crumbley | 64 |
| GER - Tim Schroder | 70 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Marc Estrella, 3-Jacob Crumbley, 4-Wesley Pincince; 5-John Sullivan (12-Chileshe Chitulangoma, 46), 6-Jacob Kaplan (Gavin Kohner, 52), 7-Shea Hammond, 10-Ben Lindau (Capt.)
Substitutes not used:8-Michael Ruiz, 13-Kyle Montgomery
Not Available: 2-Frankie Lowery, 9-Cameron DeLillo
Not Eligible: 11-Nick Mayhugh
Head coach: Stuart Sharp
GER: 12-Christian Eidenhardt, 2-Robin Meyer, 3-Jonas Malknus (Capt.), 4-Jannik Kuzma (10-Valentin Sinzel, 58), 5-Thomas Beyer (6-Tim Schroder, 46), 9-Nick Homfeldt (7-Noah Meeß, 54), 14-Tobias Muhlbauer
Substitutes not used: 11-Jaspar-Leon Peters
Head coach: Conny Frank Fristch
Stats Summary: USA / GER
N/A
Misconduct Summary:
GER - Jannik Kuzma (Caution) 17th Minute
GER - Tim Schroder (Caution) 69
GER - Robin Meyer (Caution) 77
Officials:
Referee: --
Second Official: --
Third Official: --