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USA Blind Soccer to Host Romania for International Matches in Colorado Springs April 26-27

Posted April 18, 2025  Uncategorized

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is excited to announce a weekend of international blind soccer as Team USA hosts Romania for a four-match series on April 26-27 at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) field, located at 1885 Bob Johnson Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

Following a weeklong training camp beginning Tuesday, April 22, the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team will compete against Romania in four matches across Saturday and Sunday April 26-27.

Match Schedule:

Saturday, April 26

  • Game 1: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Game 2: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 27

  • Game 3: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Game 4: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

These matches mark another step forward in Team USA’s yearlong preparation for the America’s “B” Tournament December 2-8, 2025 in San Juan, Costa Rica.

The U.S. Men’s Blind Soccer National Team roster includes Ricky Castaneda (Fort Worth, Texas); Charles Catherine (Brooklyn, New York); Antoine Craig (San Diego, California); Oseas De Leon (Miami, Florida); Cody Kirchner (Columbia, South Carolina); Ethan Kunes  (Baltimore, Maryland); Alvaro Mora (Phoenix, Arizona); and Ahmed Shareef  (Staten Island, New York). The sighted Goalkeepers are Mark Baker (Charlotte, North Carolina) and Brandt Herron (Palm Coast, Florida). Team USA will be lead by USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team head coach Ryan Lazare and assistant coaches Jorge Polanco and Kyle Knott.

Team Romania ranked 20th in the International Blind Sports Federation current rankings, brings a competitive and experienced squad to Colorado Springs, featuring a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent as they look to begin qualification later this year for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Volunteer Opportunities:

USABA is currently seeking volunteers to assist during training and match days. This is a great opportunity to support the team and be part of an exciting international event.

Volunteer link – For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please fill out the following survey link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BlindSoccerVolunteers

Stay tuned to @USABA on social media throughout the weekend for highlights, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage.

 About the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)

The mission of USABA is to empower Americans who are blind or visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation, and physical activities, thereby educating and inspiring the nation. A member organization of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and US Soccer, USABA is certified by the USOPC as the national governing body for the Paralympic team sports of goalball and blind soccer. Since its founding in 1976, USABA has reached more than 100,000 individuals through its multi-sport programming in eight sports. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class trainer of blind athletes; it has become a champion of the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. As USABA celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, the organization continues

to build on its legacy of expanding sports opportunities for athletes who are blind or visually impaired.

For more information about USABA and its initiatives, visit www.usaba.org.

About USA Blind Soccer

The USA Blind Soccer National Team was internationally ranked for the first time in November 2024, marking an essential step in the sport’s development ahead of its Paralympic debut at LA28. Bringing blind soccer to the United States is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and USABA has taken on the challenge of building the sport from the ground up. As the National Governing Body for Blind Soccer, USABA is developing an elite USA National Team and creating a grassroots network to introduce more athletes to the sport. By establishing a strong foundation, USABA ensures that future generations of blind soccer players can access competitive and recreational opportunities, helping athletes across the country experience the thrill of the world’s most popular game.

 


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