The U.S. national futsal team, on the way back from Brazil, where it went winless in five matches, helped squelch an in-flight disturbance. As the American Airlines crew threatened to turn back two hours into the flight because of an unruly passenger, several U.S. players surrounded the man and succeeded in keeping him in his seat.
''It was a little nerve-racking,'' U.S. coach Keith Tozer said. ''It brought the pilot out of the cockpit, and it could have been a big problem. There was a man showing erratic behavior, and he wouldn't sit down. But the players made sure nothing more happened.''