11/5/08 - The United Stated National Arena Soccer Team hung around with their Mexican counterparts for 30 minutes, but couldn’t stay in the race, losing 11-5 and getting outscored 8-2 in the second half in the first day of the Torneo Internacional de Futbol Rapido Monterrey 2008 at Arena Monterrey.

The US held Genoni Martinez to just one assist, but gave up three-point nights from Gustavo Rosales (2 goals, 1 assist), Victor Quiroz (1 goal, 2 assists) and Armando Teran (3 assists).  Former PASL player Vicente Figueroa scored a fourth quarter goal for Mexico.

The game was scoreless until 9:23 of the first quarter when Rosales staked Mexico to its first lead.  After trailing 2-0, the US would score the game’s next three goals, tallies by Junior Garcia, Ryan Creager, and Alex Megson. The Americans only lead lasted just 45 seconds before Victor Negrete tied the game.  The first half ended in a 3-3 tie.

The US would not fare well in the second half as the vastly more experience Mexicans scored five straight goals.  Greg Howes scored on a last second shootout for the US to cut the lead down to 8-4.

Mexico added more of the same in the fourth quarter, building an 11-4 lead before Megson scored again with 2:32 remaining to close out the scoring.  Justin Dzuba was credited with six saves in his first international start.

In the day’s earlier game Brazil and Peru played to a suprising 1-1 tie before Peru won 4-3 on shootouts for an official 2-1 win.

The US plays Peru today, and  Mexico follows against Brazil.  Tomorrow is a day off for everyone and the US will play Brazil on Saturday. The first and third place games will close out the tournament on Sunday.

Peru 2 Brazil 1 (SO)

Mexico 11 US 5