“We finished strong at the last World Cup and plan to go further this time around,” said Sharp. “We’ve had some issues with injuries and withdrawals, but we’ve brought in some young players that I’m confident are ready to perform at this level. In a three-team group, we have some additional challenges with classification, but we use the motto ‘adapt and thrive’ for a reason and are ready to overcome any obstacles we face in Spain.
“Both Australia and Iran are well-coached sides who have had a lot of turnover since their last time on the pitch, so they’re a little bit of an unknown quantity. Therefore, we are taking nothing for granted and have been preparing for whatever challenge comes our way. Being back on the highest platform of the sport is a special moment, and we will be making the most of it.”
In March, the Men’s PNT returned to international action for the first time since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic with friendlies against England and Scotland at CP Tri-Nations in England.
Prior to the pandemic, the USA recorded a number of successful performances at recent major international competitions. At the Parapan American Games in August 2019, the Men’s PNT won bronze, its first-ever medal at the tournament. In addition to a sixth-place finish at the 2019 World Cup, the U.S. took third at the 2018 IFCPF Copa America and fifth at the 2017 IFCPF World Championships.
Ten players return from the 2019 Parapan American Games roster, while eight competed at the 2019 World Cup. Three made their international debut during CP Tri-Nations in March – midfielders Chileshe Chitulangoma and Kevin McCandlish plus forward Jonah Meyer-Crothers.
USA SCHEDULE - 2022 IFCPF MEN’S WORLD CUP
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Date
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Match
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Time (ET)
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TV Info
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Venue
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Tuesday, May 3
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USA vs. Iran
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3:30 a.m.
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ESport+ (Web and App)
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Futbol Salou Sports Complex; Salou, Spain
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Saturday, May 7
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USA vs. Australia
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6:30 a.m.
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ESport+ (Web and App)
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Futbol Salou Sports Complex; Salou, Spain
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Midfielder Cameron DeLillo was the USA’s top scorer at the 2019 ParaPan American Games with nine goals, and also netted five at the 2019 World Cup. Midfielder Adam Ballou is the squad’s most senior player, representing the U.S. at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics. He plays club Para Soccer at Valencia CF, two hours south of Salou.
The Women’s PNT will take the field in international competition for the first time in Salou following initial training camps in January and April. Head coach Tricia Taliaferro has called in 10 players for the team’s international debut. In addition to the United States, Australia, Japan, Netherlands and Spain will compete at the Women’s World Cup, the first-ever world championship event for Women’s Para Soccer.
2022 IFCPF WOMEN’S WORLD CUP - U.S. PARA WNT ROSTER BY POSITION (HOMETOWN)
GOALKEEPERS (2): Rebecca Ostrander (Carson CIty, Nev.), Emily Lauritsen (Omaha, Neb.)
DEFENDERS (3): Michelle Cross (Orange County, Calif.), Joey Martin (Smyrna, Ga.), Annie Wickett (Frederick, Md.)
MIDFIELDERS (3): Cassidy Leake (Murrieta, Calif.), Kat Renick (Safety Harbor, Fla.), Jesslyn Kuhnel (Panama City, Fla.)
FORWARDS (2): Leah Glaser (Montclair, N.J.), Catarina Guimaraes (Cranford, N.J.)
