Beach MNT Falls To Japan In World Beach Games Semifinal

JOAO PESSOA, Brazil (March 19, 2026) – Playing its third game in as many days in the humid Brazil summer, the USA got a goal from captain Alessandro Canale but fell 7-1 to Japan in the 2026 Paraíba World Beach Games Semifinal. The result ends the USA’s participation in the competition, as the Beach MNT next sets its sights on the 2026 BSWW Acapulco Cup from April 9-11 in Acapulco, Mexico.

FIRST PERIOD

After U.S. attacker Fredo Dilbert tested goalkeeper Takeru Furusato from the opening kickoff, Japan turned around and took the lead about 80 seconds into the semifinal. Gathering the ball at the back, Furusato juggled forward to midfield before lobbing a ball to Ozu Morerira on the right where the Brazilian-born Japan international sent a low, first-time effort that tucked inside the left post at 10:39.

Japan bagged a second goal with 40 seconds remaining as Yohei Otsuki won the ball in the U.S. box and laid back for Takumi Uesato who slotted a low blast inside the right post.

The USA nearly bit back with 19 seconds remaining after Antonio Chavez was fouled on the right side of midfield. On the ensuing take, the veteran defender crushed a low blast that skirted just wide of the right post.

SECOND PERIOD

Another free kick early in the second period gave the USA its first goal. After being fouled at midfield, Alessandro Canale ripped a low right-footed effort just inside the left post to cut the score to 2-1 at 10:49.

Japan fought back with two more goals though, as Chikara Eguro finished past Brian Shushkovsky at 7:55 and Ryota Morioka got another with 5:46 left.

Canale came close to his second of the period at 4:15, but Furusato did well to parry his effort away from danger and Japan went into the second break up 4-1.

THIRD PERIOD

Things got more difficult for the U.S. in the third period as Chavez, who was a step off the goal line, was judged to have handled the ball on a shot from Japan, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot before showing the U.S. defender a straight red card with 9:48 remaining.

On the spot kick, substitute ‘keeper Andres Diaz guessed correctly to his left, but Ozu Moreira tucked his penalty just under the diving U.S. goalkeeper. A former FIFA Beach Soccer Golden Ball winner, Ozu grabbed his hat trick 30 seconds later as he chipped a ball over Diaz from the right side of the box and into the top left corner to make it 6-1.

A seventh Japan goal came as Morioka slotted Takaaki Oba through where he beat substitute goalkeeper Austin Collier to close out the scoring with 4:01 left.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Goalkeeper Brian Shushkovsky made his first start for the Beach MNT in his sixth overall cap. All three goalkeepers started a match the for the USA at the 2026 Paraíba World Beach Games.
• Alessandro Canale tallied his 74th international goal in his 104th Beach MNT cap, bringing him within one appearance of all-time cap-winner Chris Toth.

-U.S. MEN’S BEACH SOCCER NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-

Match: United States Beach Men’s National Team vs. Japan

Date: March 20, 2026

Competition: 2026 Paraíba World Beach Games – Semifinal

Venue: Arena PWBG; Joao Pessoa, Brazil

Attendance: 1,200

Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local)

Weather: 83 degrees, humid

Lineups:

USA: 21-Brian Shushkovsky; 3-Antonio Chavez, 4-Fredo Dilbert, 8-Matthew Citron, 9-Alessandro Canale (Capt.)

Substitutes: 1-Austin Collier, 2-Tanner Akol, 5-Dillon Thompson, 6-Cody Valcarcel, 7-Andres Navas, 11-Alvaro Franco, 12-Andres Diaz

Head coach: Marcelo Mendes

JPN: 1-Takeru Furusato; 7-Takaaki Oba (Capt.), 9-Rikuto Otani, 10-Ozu Moreira, 11-Ryota Morioka

Substitutes: 2-Yohei Otsuki, 3-Mido Yasunaga, 4-Kosuke Matsuda, 5-Ryota Tusboya, 6-Chikara Eguro, 8-Takumi Uesato, 12-Shinya Shpamoto,

Head coach: Teruki Tebata

Officials:

First Official: Luciano Andrade (BRA)

Second Official: Flávio Cléber (BRA)

Third Official: Lucas Estêvâo (BRA)

Timekeeper: Natasha (BRA)