USA 4, England 1

United States Top Group E with Victory over England

The United States fell behind early but dominated tournament favorites England en route to a 4-1 victory and a first-place finish in ISF Socca6 World Cup Group E.

Both squads entered the match having clinched a place in the Round of 16, but the result would decide the knockout stage pairings.

In just the second minute, England took the lead on a penalty kick by Sam Murphy. Forced to come from behind for a third consecutive match, Team USA did what was needed and more.

In the 8th, Scott Crandall (Small Goal Soccer) and Tony Cascio (Sporting AZ FC) continued their potent 1-2 scoring form, when Cascio connected with Crandall’s corner kick. The header went off the underside of the bar, but Cascio followed it into the net with an easy touch to equalize.

On the stroke of halftime, Jon Guse (Sporting AZ FC) intercepted a pass at midfield, took a touch past England goalkeeper Ashoor Bakoos, and made no mistake with his scoring strike.

In the 23rd, Mo Salama (Sporting AZ FC) won a challenge in midfield, beat one defender, drew out Bakoos, and found Cascio with a square pass in front of an empty net. Cascio converted for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Perhaps the best team goal so far for the United States came in the 34th. David Paul lobbed a long pass for Cascio in the England box. Cascio brought it down with a header into the path of Noel Castillo (Sporting AZ FC) who was marked, but managed to backheel the ball for club teammate Danny Arrubla, who struck for the exclamation point on an entertaining group stage.

The United States next face Group F runners up Latvia, at 4 a.m. EDT, 1 a.m. PDT, Friday, September 28 in the Round of 16. Group E runners up England face Brazil.