U.S. makes strong showing in 6-5 indoor loss to Mexico

By BLAKE HURTIK

Special to the Star-Telegram

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — Just as the U.S. national team made progress with an impressive run at the FIFA Confederations Cup last month, the U.S. national arena soccer team grew during the first Independence Cup match.

And although Mexico left the NYTEX Sports Centre with the giant gold trophy after a 6-5 win over the U.S., all involved realized the event’s significance.

Sergio Del Rio, president of Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido (FIFRA), the governing body of indoor soccer, said it was the first step to holding an indoor world cup.

"We’re so happy that we continue doing these types of events," Del Rio said. "Our sport needs international competition."

Mexico’s Ivan Medina was the star Saturday, scoring five goals and assisting on the other.

Said U.S. player/coach Craig Rhodis, "He’s a great, great player."

But Mexico didn’t coast to victory. After Medina netted the first goal with 1:42 left in the first quarter, the U.S. reeled off three goals.

Then Mexico rallied with three goals in the next two minutes, with Medina scoring twice and adding his assist. The U.S. evened the score with 20 seconds remaining in the half on an own goal after U.S. goalkeeper Craig Salvati’s long shot bounced off the top of the goal box and off Victor Santibanez into the goal.

Medina added another goal in the third period, and Aaron Susi answered with his second goal of the game. But Medina scored the deciding goal with 7:06 left in the fourth period on a perfect lob pass from Eduardo Velez.

The playing surface was an issue, with players constantly slipping. The artificial turf was laid directly onto the ice used by the Texas Brahmas.

The U.S. team was made up of indoor soccer players from the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro), which includes the Texas Outlaws, who call the NYTEX Centre home. Five Outlaws played for the U.S., including former Flower Mound Marcus and SMU star Kellan Zindel.

"It was a pretty big deal," said Zindel, who just missed a goal with a shot off the post. "Soccer is only getting bigger, and Texas is sort of a powerhouse. Who knows where it’s going to go."

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