USA 4, Slovakia 2

Team USA Top Slovakia 4-2 in Thrilling Comeback

After falling behind 2-0 with only 15 minutes to play, Team USA looked hard-pressed to notch a second consecutive group stage victory at the ISF Socca6 World Cup, but quick goals from Tony Cascio and Mo Salama erased the deficit, and the United States eventually came away 4-2 winners.

Slovakia controlled the first half, limiting Team USA to mostly low-percentage shots, and took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

Scott Crandall (Small Goal Soccer) came out furiously for the United States in the second half, putting pressure on Slovakia to make a mistake, and he was nearly successful on two occasions. Unfortunately though, Slovakia doubled their lead in the 25th when their counter-attacking shot was deflected into Andrew Weber’s goal.

It was all Team USA after that.

In the 28th, Noel Castillo (Sporting AZ FC) sent a long pass to Crandall who was open in the Slovakia box. Crandall drew out the Slovakia keeper and deftly one-timed the ball into the path of Cascio (Sporting AZ FC) who fired into the empty net.

Just three minutes later, Danny Arrubla (Sporting AZ FC) fed club teammate Salama at the top of the area, and Salama scored neatly inside the near post.

With less than a minute to go, Crandall again found Cascio with a nifty backheel. This time Cascio took two touches to misdirect the keeper, and shot firmly into the net from a narrow angle to take the lead. Almost before the celebration had ended, Noel Castillo was 1-on-1 with the Slovakia keeper and slotted home for the jubilant 4-2 result.

The United States next face Group E opponents England, at 3 p.m. EDT, 12 p.m. PDT, Thursday, September 27. England face Kazakhstan tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. EDT. The United States will clinch passage to the knockout stage with a draw or a Kazakhstan loss.

All Team USA match streams can be found on specialty broadcaster mycujoo.