Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 17, 2016 – USA and Iran will both meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Friday, with both teams looking to become familiar with the Olympic host city with victory in the FIVB Volleyball World League 2016.
Head-to-Head
· United States and Iran have played five World League matches against each other, all in 2014 and 2015. United States won the first three matches, including their first ever meeting in the 2014 semifinals (3-0), but Iran won the two last matches (both in straight sets).
· In all competitions, these teams have met 11 times with USA winning seven matches and Iran four.
· Their most recent meeting came at the 2015 World Cup: USA won by 3-1.
· USA and Iran have played two matches against each other at the World Championship: USA won in 1970 (3-2) and Iran in 2014 (3-2).
United States
· United States started their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Argentina, outscoring their opponents 98-94.
· United States won their opener for the third straight season after losing it in the five seasons prior to this streak (2009-2013).
· In 2014 United States won their first seven World League matches. A year later they won their first six.
· Taylor Sander was United States’ most prolific player in the first match, scoring 23 points, all by spikes.
Iran
· Iran lost their opener 3-0 against Brazil. Until yesterday they were the only team with a positive World League balance against the Brazilians (W3-L2 then, W3-L3 now).
· In all their three previous World League appearances Iran have either lost their first three (2013. 2014) or their first four (2015) matches.
· Iran now have as many straight sets defeats as straight sets wins at the World League (8 wins, 8 defeats).
· Against Brazil Shahram Mahmoudi was Iran's only player to reach double figures in points scored (12).