SALOU, Spain (November 15, 2024) - The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team advanced to the 2024 IFCFP World Cup Quarterfinals with a 6-0 win over Thailand Friday afternoon. With six points, the USA finishes second to the Netherlands in Group C to and moves into the Knockout Round for fifth-straight World Cup tournament. Shea Hammond and Jake Kaplan each scored twice, Wesley Pincince added another, Ben Lindau and Chileshe Chitulangoma each had two assists, and Frankie Lowery earned the shutout in his first match in goal.
With forward Nick Mayhugh and goalkeeper Marc Estrella suspended due to red cards in the previous match, and forward Cameron DeLillo unavailable due to injury, head coach Stuart Sharp utilized the team’s depth. Chitulangoma and Kyle Montgomery made their first World Cup starts. Lowery, who started the first two games on defense, stepped in at goalkeeper. Pincince had started the first two games in midfield but moved to the backline, allowing the coaching staff to give John Sullivan a needed rest day. Hammond and Crumbley combined up top, while captain and midfielder Ben Lindau joined Pincince as the only other player to start all three group matches
The USA was in control from the get-go, but needed 12 minutes to break the game open. Lowery calmly took possession of a lost ball in his own area and found Lindau near midfield, who then advanced it to Hammond on the left flank. Hammond did well to separate from his mark and as he entered the top left corner of the box, placed a low shot to the far side net for his first goal of the tournament.
Thailand goalkeeper Jettarin Wonghangmit then made nice saves on Hammond and Crumbley attempts.
But the USA pressure was relentless.
Lindau received a short corner from the left and quickly found Pincince near the center of the field. Pincince took two touches to his left and hit a ball from just inside the arc past Wonghangmit to double the lead.
Wonghangmit denied Hammond three more times, but the USA forward found his second before the half. Chitulangoma sent a beautiful long ball from just past midfield on the left side to the far post, where Hammond brought it down perfectly and finished from close range.
Minutes later Chitulangoma connected with Kaplan on the left side of the area. Kaplan taking the ball on the fly and first-timed it towards goal, where Crumbley shielded the ‘keeper allowing the ball to go between his legs. It was Kaplan’s first World Cup goal in his third tournament.
Michael Ruiz and Gavin Kohner entered to start the second half, with Ruiz becoming the 14th and final player on the roster to see action through the group stage.
Thailand’s Thanachok Sirivat inadvertently redirected a Hammond corner for an own goal in the 42nd minute, then Kaplan closed out the scoring with a nice finish from 12 yards out in the 53rd minute.
The USA will now play IR Iran - which won Group D with nine points - on Sunday, November 17 at 6:30 a.m. ET and the match will be broadcast live on the IFCPF YouTube channel.
Match: United States Men’s CP National Team vs. Thailand
Date: Nov. 15, 2024
Competition: 2024 IFCPF World Cup – Group C
Venue: Mediterranean Sports Village; Salou, Spain
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. local (9:30 a.m. ET)
Weather: 65 degrees, cloudy
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| THA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Shea Hammond (Ben Lindau) | 12th minute |
| USA - Westley Pincince (Ben Lindau) | 17 |
| USA – Shea Hammond (Chileshe Chitulangoma) | 28 |
| USA – Jacob Kaplan (Chileshe Chitulangoma) | 30 |
| USA – Own Goal (Thanachok Sirivat) | 42 |
| USA – Jacob Kaplan (Shea Hammond) | 53 |
Lineups:
USA: 2-Frankie Lowery; 12-Chileshe Chitulangoma (14-Gavin Kohner, 31), 4-Wesley Pincince (8-Michael Ruiz, 31); 13-Kyle Montgomery (6-Jacob Kaplan, 19), 10-Ben Lindau (Capt.), 7-Shea Hammond; 3-Jacob Crumbley
Substitutes not used: 5-John Sullivan, 6-Jacob Kaplan 8-Michael Ruiz, 9-Cameron DeLillo, 14-Gavin Kohner
Suspended: 1-Marc Estrella, 11-Nick Mayhugh
Head coach: Stuart Sharp
THA: 1-Jettarin Wonghangmit, 2-Bannasak Nuepho (4-Thanachok Sirivat, 31), 3-Aphiwat Butthaisong (14-Nattaphon Boonmeema, 31), 7-Glaham Nattapong (12-Panukon Thawong, 19, 8-Paisan Saechao, 57), 9-Mongkholchai Sittisuwankul, 10-Sukhitkun Bunsing, 11-Phonpipat Nampaksa
Substitutes not used: 5-Attan Tahe, 6-Chanatip Deeman, 13-Nimitr Kaisakaew
Head coach: Surasak Tungsurat
Stats Summary: USA / THA
N/A
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
Referee: Pouya Ghadirian (AUS)
Fourth Official: Saori James (VEN)