The US6 National Team came to Perth with one of its strongest lineups ever assembled, but this is only the third major minifootball tournament the arena kings have ever played in. The US struggled to adapt to the boardless format in disappointing finishes in the 2017 WMF World Cup in Tunisia and 2018’s Pan-Am Cup in Guatemala, but after Wednesday morning’s 8-0 win over Argentina, the US has put everyone at the 2019 WMF World Cup on notice.

The US got two goals from Slavisa Ubiparipovic, including a second half bicycle kick stunner. Seven other players scored, including Jermaine Jones, who memorably scored a goal for the USMNT in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Americans took control of possession early on, but it was Israel Sesay who broke the scoreless tie in the 10th minute on a rebound goal off a Franck Tayou shot. Taylor Bond headed in the second goal about seven minutes later and the US was off to the races by the time Ubiparipovic and Jones scored to give the US a 4-0 halftime lead.

Kraig Chiles took a Travis Pittman corner kick and beat a defender 1-on-1 to make it 5-0 and Gordy Gurson scored an unassisted goal off a turnover to make it 6-0.

The US maintained high pressure and countered with several odd man rushes. Ubiparipovic’s highlight reel goal made it 7-0 and Chiles found VcMor Eligwe on the back post with a perfect cross for the icing on the cake.

Goalkeeper Boris Pardo was more active in the first half, but kept Argentina off the board throughout for his second career WMF World Cup shutout.

The US will now face South Africa on Friday at 10:00am local time and Brazil at 11:30am on Sunday to close out group play.

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