GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Everson Maciel’s bicycle helped rally the U.S. futsal national team to a 1-1 draw with El Salvador in the opening game of the 2021 Concacaf Futsal Championship Monday.

The USA is in second place in Group D after Nicaragua’s 4-2 victory over Cuba.

Twelve minutes into the second half, goalkeeper Diego Moretti threw a 30-yard pass downcourt to Maciel at the top of the box. The 42-year-old player quickly got off the ground to bike home the equalizer.

Playing in their first Concacaf Futsal Championship since 2012, the Americans relied on the solid play of Moretti early on as twice denied El Salvadoran attempts as he cut down the shooting angles.

The USA’s best chance early on came midway through the opening half when 19-year old Tomas Pondeca fired a shot off the right post.

El Salvador took the lead with less than three minutes remaining in the half when Samuel Munoz snuck one past Moretti from the right side.

The Americans started the second half much brighter. Luciano Gonzalez tested goalkeeper Emerson Lemus with a back-heel shot that Lemus read well. Jeremy Klepal and Daniel Mattos blasted shots from the left side to the far post, but Lemus reacted to make a diving save on each attempt.

The USA faces Nicaragua on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, live on TUDN.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.