11/9/08 - The hopes of the United States National Arena Soccer Team were dashed by Mexico via a 10-6 loss in the Gran Final of the Torneo Internacional de Futbol Rapido Monterrey 2008.

Mexico has now won both championships in the brief history of international arena soccer competition, having also win the Circuito Mudial 2008 in Montreal in July.

Victor Negrete’s first quarter natural hat trick gave Mexico a lead they would not relinquish.  Mexico struck first, but the Michael Uremovich (Texas Outlaws) tied the score just 1:01 later.  Negrete responded 1:01 after that and by the time he was done, Mexico had themselves a 4-1 lead.

The US would trail by as much as 8-3, but never got closer than 9-6.  Mexico continued its relative dominance throughout the tournament, winning its four games by a combined 21 goals to improve to 6-0 in international play.

In finishing in second place, the US improved on its third place finish in Montreal.  Greg Howes (Stockton Cougars) was named the top forward in the tournament on the strength of his 14 point performance (6 goals, 8 assists).

Uremovich extended his scoring streak to four games (1 league game and 3 tournament games), and Ryan Creager (Denver Dynamite) now has scored in six straight games (2 league, 4 tournament).  Alex Megson, who is due to make his pro debut this season with the Wenatchee Fire, was impressive with 5 goals and 1 assist in the series.

In losing 7-6 in a shootout, Peru finished in last in the tournament, but their fate could have just as easily been a trip to the Gran Final.  Three of Peru’s four games were decided by shootouts and they lost two of those games, including a loss to the US.

FINAL: Brazil 7 Peru 6 (SO)

FINAL: Mexico 10 USNAST 6