The United States men's national CP soccer team, formerly known as the United States Para 7-a-side national team, represents the United States in men's CP football international competitions. It is operated by the United States Soccer Federation. The team finished seventh at the 2015 IPCPF World Championships. They have competed at several Paralympic Games, including the 1984, 1992, 1996, 2004 and 2012 editions. One of their best finishes was in 1996 when they finished fourth. Their head coach is Stuart Sharp. Comedian Josh Blue is one of their former players.
The U.S. Para 7-a-side National Soccer Team (USPNT) is an elite level program that selects players from across the United States in preparation for International standard competition. The National Team, in addition to friendly matches and invitational tournaments, competes in the following events: Intercontinental Cup, Copa America, World Championships, Parapan American Games, Paralympic Games.
For players to be eligible, they must be ambulant (no requirement for assistive walking aids) and have one of the following neurological conditions, have had a Stroke, have Cerebral Palsy, have had a Traumatic Brain Injury / Acquired Brain Injury.
Individuals with the above conditions may display varying degrees of the following impairments: Diplegia, Hemiplegia, Triplegia, Quadriplegia, Monoplegia, Dystonia, Athetosis, Ataxia, Balance issues, Co-ordination issues, Weakness in certain areas of the body.
In many cases the above conditions may result in only minimal levels of motor dysfunction (some not noticeable to the untrained eye); however, under the rules of the sport, this could still make players eligible for the U.S. Paralympic National Team.
"Football 7-a-side" is the standard term for the game informally known as "C.P. Football," and international tournaments are hosted by the International Paralympic Committee, FIFA, or International Federation of CP Football IFCPF. Team selection and tournaments are competitive, and tend to be run like professional sport organizations. The USA team trains at the Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista, California, and the Home Depot Center at Carson, California.
Background
The national team is managed by the US Soccer Federation. Current head coach Stuart Sharp has been in his role since 2014. In 2012, the team was coached by Jay Hoffman. While the United States was active in participating in the IFCPF World Championships and Paralympic Games by 2016, the country did not have a national championships to support national team player development.
Ranking
The United States was ranked fourth in the world by the IFCPF in 2019. That same year, the team was also ranked third in the Americas. In September 2012, August 2013 and November 2014, the team was ranked ninth in the world. In July 2011, the team was ranked eighth.
Players There have been a number of players for the American squad. NameNumberClassificationPositionYears activeRefMason AbbiateFT7Midfielder2015-2016Christopher Ahrens6FT7Defender2011-2012Adam Ballou7FT7Midfielder2007, 2009-2012, 2014-2016Tyler Bennett11FT7Midfielder2010-2012Bryce Boarman5FT5Defender2010, 2012Dylan Brown8FT6Forward2012Nick Creasey2FT72010-2011Alex Hendricks18FT7Goalkeeper2011-2017KaeCe Hildreth6FT72010Charlie Howard12FT72010-2012Keith Johnson1FT7Goalkeeper2004-2012, 2016Chad Jones4FT5Defender/Midfielder2011-2012Tommy Latsch8FT72010-2011Josh McKinney9FT7Midfielder/Forward1995-2012Moises Morales3, 15FT7Midfielder/Forward2010, 2012Tyler Penn18FT52010Rene Renteria16FT8Midfielder/Forward2012Gavin Sibayan2FT7Defender/Midfielder2012-2016Jason Slemons3FT5Defender/Midfielder2003-2011Jerreme Wade14FT7Midfielder2012Marthell Vazquez10FT5Goalkeeper/Forward2010-2012
Results
The United States has participated in a number of international tournaments. Six teams participated in the Toronto hosted American Cup in 2014. Group A included Venezuela, Argentina and Canada. Group B included Mexico, Brazil and the United States. The tournament was important for preparations for the 2015 Parapan American Games, and because it was the last major continental level competition of the year. CompetitionLocationYearTotal TeamsResultRefPre-Paralympic TournamentSalou, Spain201676Footie 7 TournamentPovao de Varzim, Portugal201553America CupToronto, Canada2014639th Barcelona International Trophy of CP FootballBarcelona, Spain201442Intercontinental CupBarcelona, Spain201316Ireland CP International TournamentIreland20134British Paralympic World CupNottingham, England2012122012 Paralympic World CupLondon, England20124Yevpretoria UkraineYevpatoria, Crimea, Ukraine20128Nottingham British Paralympic World CupNottingham, England201044CPISRA International ChampionshipsArnhem, Netherlands200911 The United States has also played in a number of friendlies. In December 2011, Canada and the United States played a series of three friendly matches in Chula Vista, California. Canada won the opener 4 - 2. They then repeated this score in the second match. The United States won the third game 2 - 3.
IFCPF World Championships The United States has participated in the IFCPF World Championships. World ChampionshipsLocationTotal TeamsResultRef2015 IFCPF World ChampionshipsEngland1572011 CPSIRA World ChampionshipsNetherlands168
Paralympic Games
The United States has participated in 7-a-side football at the Paralympic Games.
Paralympic Results GamesResultsRef2012 Summer Paralympics72004 Summer Paralympics81996 Summer Paralympics41992 Summer Paralympics1984 Summer Paralympics
References
External links US Soccer International Paralympic Committee