HEREDIA, Costa Rica (July 31, 2004) - Former University of Portland goalkeeper Scott Hileman (1991-94) helped the U.S. National Futsal Team win the CONCACAF Futsal Championship and a berth to the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship. The USA and Cuba punched tickets to the World Championship by virtue of semifinal victories as the USA topped Costa Rica 4-0, while Cuba beat Mexico 5-4. Hileman recorded the 2-0 shutout over Cuba with 10 saves, including seven in the second half. Cuba had 23 shots on goal, but at least a dozen more shot attempts were blocked by U.S. defenders.

"It seems like the same old story, they executed the game plan," said head coach Keith Tozer who picked up his 20th career win with the team. "I thought our defense was stellar, and that's how we were going to win this tournament. To have a shutout against Costa Rica in the semifinals and then against Cuba in the final is just a remarkable story. Now we move on to the World Cup."

The U.S. becomes the first team to ever post back to back shutouts in the semifinal and championship matches, and the first to post three shutouts in the entire tournament. With shutouts against Costa Rica and Guyana, U.S. goalkeeper Brett Phillips was named the tournament's most outstanding goalkeeper despite not playing in the final.

Both the U.S. and Cuba started the match playing tough defensively and holding possession on the offensive end, with neither team getting many chances. The U.S. would capitalize first, however, on a set piece with 36 seconds left in the first half. Howes set up to take the free kick for the U.S. and first ran up to the ball with intentions of passing. Then, he backed off and came forward again striking a low shot that went past the Cuba wall and into the lower left corner of the goal from about eight yards out.