CONCACAF Retro: USA Futsal, 2002

After failing to qualify for the 2000 FIFA Futsal World Cup, the United States set in motion a rebuilding process, so that the program could duplicate past successes.Two years later, on March 20, 2002, it made history by winning its first match on home soil, defeating Canada, 10-0, at the Retriever Activity Center Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

The encounter, which was also the first time a CONCACAF team won its inaugural home game, was part of the North American Invitational, a competition played over three match dates that also included Mexico.

The U.S. had qualified for the first three FIFA Futsal World Cups (1989, 1992, 1996), but finished third in the 2000 CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Costa Rica and missed out on the FIFA finals in Guatemala.

With only three players back from that CONCACAF bronze-medal side, the Stars & Stripes' roster for its first-ever home matches consisted of at least 10 players making their futsal debuts.

"We wanted to identify players as we were rebuilding the team from the tournament we competed in two years earlier," said current USA coach Keith Tozer."So the new journey began for us and it was important at the time to get the victory.

"It was a good motivating factor playing our first match on home soil and, looking back, myself and the rest of that team are very proud to have made history that day."

A momentous victory indeed, as it was not only the largest margin of victory by a CONCACAF team since 1996, but also forward Bernie Lilavois (one of the three remaining players from the 2000 squad) struck for a hat-trick (three goals) .

"This is something that the whole team wanted to accomplish and that was to win the first-ever international futsal match on home soil," said Lilavois, following the game against the Canadians."We have a very powerful offensive team here and most importantly we have an excellent defensive team."

Defender Pat White added another hat-trick on the day, while Steve Butcher, Mark Thomas, Steve Bernal and Chris Morman completed the Stars & Stripes' scoring with a goal apiece.

"I think we played really well and our defense obviously held its own," Tozer commented after the game."We scored a lot of great goals and whenever you bring a new group together and start off with a win, it makes everyone feel good about themselves."

The next day (March 21), the U.S. played to an exciting 1-1 draw against Mexico at American University's Bender Arena in Washington, D.C.

Forward Dewayne Gilpatrick gave the host an early lead, but forward Hector Guzman leveled for the visitors just before halftime.

With two minutes remaining, Stars & Stripes' goalkeeper Dan Green preserved the result, making a crucial foot save off a Tricolores' attempt from close range.

"The shot was deflected by one of our defenders and I didn't really get a good look at it until it was right on me," Green stated after the match."So I did what I thought I could do and got my (left) leg out and I'm lucky I have size 12 feet.

"I needed all of it to get it."

Mexico defeated Canada 7-1 at the Bender Arena on March 23, a result that guaranteed the Stars & Stripes won the tournament on goal difference over the Tricolores (+10 to +6).

Since that event, the U.S. has won 75 percent of its home matches, qualified for two more FIFA Futsal World Cups (2004, 2008) and captured its second CONCACAF crown in 2004.

Heading into the CONCACAF Futsal Championship in Guatemala later this year, Tozer sees another opportunity of reaching the FIFA competition.

"My mindset is that I never go into a tournament or game itself thinking that we cannot win it," he analyzed."I know it will be difficult as you have Guatemala as the defending CONCACAF champion and they playing at home.

"You also have Costa Rica and Cuba as stronger contenders, as well as Panama, however, I still see us as one of the top four to gain the berth."

The 2012 CONCACAF Championship is scheduled to take place at Guatemala City's Domo from July 2-8.For the first time, the tournament will qualify four teams for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which will be played in Thailand later this year.

USA Roster

GOALKEEPERS: Dan Green (Milwaukee Wave), Alec Rosenberg (World United FC)

DEFENDERS: Steve Bernal (Milwaukee Rampage), John Ball (Cleveland Crunch), Troy Dusosky (Milwaukee Wave), Matt Tanzini (Harrisburg Heat), Josh Timbers, Pat White (Milwaukee Wave)

MIDFIELDERS: Ricky Brown (University of Maryland-Baltimore County), Ted Eck, Leighton O'Brien (Seattle Sounders), Devin Payton, Greg Howes (Milwaukee Wave)

FORWARDS: Steve Butcher (Cleveland Crunch), Dewayne Gilpatrick (Milwaukee Wave), Bernie Lilavois, Mark Thomas.

TD: Keith TOZER

2002 North American Invitational Matches

20.03.2002: Baltimore, Maryland USA; Retriever Activity Center Arena (A: 250)

USA - CANADA 10:0 (6:0)

Bernie LILAVOIS 1', 12' pen, 17'; Mark THOMAS 13'; Pat WHITE 15', 32', 39'; Chris MORMAN 15'; Steve BUTCHER 27'; Steve BERNAL 35'

USA: Dan Green - Troy Dusosky, Ted Eck, Greg Howes, Bernie Lilavois.

Subs: Alec Rosenberg - Steve Butcher, Leighton O'Brien, Steve Bernal, John Ball, Chris Morman, Pat White, Matt Tanzini, Mark Thomas.Booked: none

TD: Keith TOZER

CAN: Willy Pacheco - George Montallvo, Ted Ullrich, Sandeep Sull, Dominic DeMarco.

Subs: Jean Mathew Lens, Manuel Briere, Bobson Sesay, Ali Samaean, Patrick Bessette, Kasra Hageegee.Booked: none

TD: Dave ROACH

R1: Carlo SERVINO (USA), R2: Andrew LESINZISKI (CAN)

21.03.2002: Washington, D.C. USA; Bender Arena (A: 405)

USA - MEXICO 1:1 (1:1)

Dewayne GILPATRICK 8' - Hector GUZMAN 20'

USA: Dan Green - Dewayne Gilpatrick, Steve Bernal, Bernie Lilavois, Josh Timbers.

Subs: Steve Butcher, Ted Eck, Greg Howes, Devin Payton, John Ball, Ricky Brown, Matt Tanzini, Mark Thomas.Booked: Lilavois 40'

TD: Keith TOZER

MEX: Amado Torres Bueno - Edson Lince, Leonardo Morales, Francisco Ramirez, Guillermo Castañeda.

Subs: Jose Manuel Garcia - Mario Alberto Verti, Jose Alberto Montiel, Jesus Rodriguez, Victor Huerta, Hector Guzman, Miguel Angel Oluera, Jesus Contreras.Booked: Huerta 39'

TD: Agustin MANZO

R1: Carlo SERVINO (USA), R2: John KONSTANTINIDIS (USA)

23.03.2002: Washington, D.C. USA; Bender Arena (300)

CANADA - MEXICO 1:7 (0:2)

Sandeep SULL - Francisco RAMIREZ-2; Hector GUZMAN-2; Victor HUERTA; Edson LINCE; Jesus CONTRERAS

CAN: Willy Pacheco - George Montallvo, Ted Ullrich, Sandeep Sull, Dominic DeMarco.

Subs: Jean Mathew Lens, Manuel Briere, Bobson Sesay, Ali Samaean, Patrick Bessette, Kasra Hageegee.Booked: none

TD: Dave ROACH

MEX: Jose Manuel Garcia - Edson Lince, Leonardo Morales, Francisco Ramirez, Guillermo Castañeda.

Subs: Mario Alberto Verti, Jose Alberto Montiel, Jesus Rodriguez, Victor Huerta, Hector Guzman, Miguel Angel Oluera, Jesus Contreras.Booked: none

TD: Agustin MANZO

R1: John KONSTANTINIDIS (USA), R2: Andre LESINZISKI (CAN)

For more information or general inquiries concerning historical content, please contact Steven Torres, CONCACAF Director of Information Services at steve.torres@concacaf.org.