USA 2, Germany 2 (0-1 PEN)

Team USA’s run at the 2018 ISF Socca6 World Cup has come to an end. After finishing 2-2 with Germany after regulation, Germany won the quarterfinal match 1-0 on penalties.

Early on, Germany looked every bit the squad that logged 20 goals in its first four matches, but it was the United States who struck first. In the 6th minute, Tony Cascio played a short free kick from the byline into the middle of the Germany penalty area where Scott Crandall, being held from behind by a defender, powered the ball into the net.

Cascio would double the Americans’ advantage in the 20th, when, after drawing a foul, he fired a long free kick that deflected fortuitously off the first defender and low into the Germany net.

Germany began to look desperate after the break, and their persistence was rewarded in the 25th when Niklas Kuhle jumped on a loose ball and slid a long shot past goalkeeper Andrew Weber. Germany would equalize off a corner kick in the 33rd.

In the penalty shootout, Weber saved the first two German attempts, but he was matched by his counterpart, Kim Sippel. In the third round of penalties though, Germany converted and Sippel made his third save to seal the result.

Visit Team USA 6v6 and Small Goal Soccer to keep up on all things Socca in the United States.
Follow the International Socca Federation to follow the conclusion of the tournament.