Sporting Kansas City Academy goalkeeper coach Boris Pardo and the U.S. Futsal National Team kick off the 2012 CONCACAF Futsal Championship tonight in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Pardo, who currently plays for the Missouri Comets in the Major Indoor Soccer League, was named to the 14-man roster last month. He is one of two goalkeepers on the squad, alongside Comets teammate Daniel Waltman. Pardo has been an Academy coach for the past two years and was on the Sporting KC senior squad in 2008 and 2009.
The eight-team tournament serves as qualifying for November’s 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand, with the top four teams advancing to the sport’s largest stage.
The U.S. begins Group A action tonight against Panama at 7 p.m. The team then faces Canada at the same time on Tuesday, July 3, before wrapping up group play against hosts Guatemala on Wednesday, July 4 at 9 p.m. Each match will be broadcast on Univision Deportes.
If the U.S. finishes first or second in the group, it will advance to the semifinals on July 6 and clinch a spot in Thailand’s quadrennial competition. The U.S. won the CONCACAF title in 2004 and finished third in 2008, advancing to the World Cup on both occasions.
Good luck to Pardo and the U.S. Futsal National Team!
