USA – FRA 1:2: France upsets USA

Team France scored with three minutes to go thanks to Renaud Crignier to record an unexpected victory over Team USA and put themselves in a comfortable position for a quarterfinal spot with just a tomorrow´s game against an outsider from Colombia left.

Game 2   •   A   •   Tu 13.7.2010   •   16:30   •   Schedule and results
USA	1:2	France
(0:0, 1:2, 0:0)
Urbano - Thompson, Mosenson, Keene, Spain, Sgrillo, Fudge, Laricchia, Cadiz, Roux, Redstreake, Messina, Bond		Rebuffet - Thomas, Ostre, Charbonneau, Gregoire, Couraud, Tijou, Ladonne J.F., Ladonne B., Gabillet, Lefranc, Crignier, Jalinier, Guerin, Lapresa
Goals and assists: 35. Laricchia (Cadiz) - 29. Ladonne (Gabillet), 37. Crignier.
Shots: 38:27 (19:11, 19:16, 0:0). Penalties: 8:4, plus Mosenson (GBR) 10 min. PP goals: 0:2. SH goals: 0:0. Referees: Würtherle, Mackinnon.
Official game sheet (PDF)     video

Report

Team USA enjoyed a comfortable start to the tournament in their first game with Colombia, but they were up against a much stronger resistance in this match-up against Team France. French players have already put their mark on results in Group A after earning a bit unexpected draw against Switzerland and were determined to chase the best possible result against tournament´s favorites.

The whole game was dominated by a very physical play and lots of penalties being assessed. French had the first opportunity early on after Ostre hit the crossbar, but it was Team USA who rang goal posts several times, Jose Cadiz being the most frequent shooter. However, the score didn´t change and France held on until half time. „We had four or five post shots, if either one of them would have gone in, the game would be different,“ said Cadiz.

France was rejuvenated after the break and converted one of their power plays after 29 minutes thanks to Ladonne, whose first shot hit the bar and a rebound went over the line and into the net. USA was suddenly facing an unexpected defeat, but they bounced back in 35th minute after Cadiz set up Laricchia and he equalized. However, US payed for their indiscipline when another penalty was punished thanks to Crignier´s lucky effort from close range.

„There were lots of penalties, penalty kills and we just lost our way. We will have to do a lot better job next time,“ said Jose Cadiz after the game. US will face Switzerland in their final group game, France will meet Colombia.

Author: Lukas Peroutka

Comments

Charles Thuss (Team USA coach): There were several key moments throughout the game. Early on we hit a couple of posts, if we´d buried those we would be 2-0 up and as the history shows, we would then be able to control the game and dictate the play. French team had a chance to stay in the game, they siezed that opportunity and played a great game. Hats off to them.

Bernard Seguy (Team France coach): We are very hapy with this game. It is our first victory over Team USA ever on in-line world championship. We lacked quality before, this is a great day for France. We have some tough games coming up and this victory is a huge boost.