Ontario, California - Matt Clare scored a hat trick and Kraig Chiles added two goals with an assist as the U.S. National Arena Soccer Team opened up the WMF Arena Soccer World Cup 2015 with a clinical 10-1 victory over Kazakhstan in Group A play. Evan McNeley added a goal and assist for Team USA (1-0), who scored the final nine goals unanswered to begin their week-long quest for the first-ever WMF World Cup.
"We're still trying to figure out where to play everyone and we're trying different formats," said U.S. national coach Phil Salvagio, "We made a couple of adjustments at halftime and they seemed to work."
Kazakhstan (0-1), the champions of their region and a participant in the European Mini-Football championships, impressed the crowd of 3,128 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, leveling the score 1-1 in the first quarter on a brilliant side netting strike by Kairat Imanalin. Goalkeeper Pavel Barabanov kept his side in the game with several tough saves in the first half, but the US scored three times per quarter after the first to put the game away.
"They were surprisingly solid," said Clare, the Wichita B52s striker named Man of the Match for his hat trick, "They were definitely a 'futsal style' team but I think they played well, played the game in the right manner."
Clare opened the scoring on a corner-pass assist from Chiles, then finished assists from Jeff Hughes and Brian Harris to complete his hat trick. Donning the United States colors for the first time as a professional was a motivation for the Wichita rising star.
"It's a big deal. It means a lot to me, and to my family and friends back home. It's great to wear the colors."
Brian Farber, Felipe Gonzalez, Chiky Luna and Enrique Tovar also scored for Team USA, while John Sosa (Missouri Comets) picked up a team-best two assists. Team captain Danny Waltman started in goal and registered two saves for the win. Joey Kapinos (Rochester Lancers) finished in goal.
The U.S. National Arena Soccer Team returns to action in Group A play on Tuesday night when they take on El Salvador, once again from the CBBA in Ontario. Game time is scheduled for 7:30pm.
