Indoor USMNT Drops Heartbreaker to Trinidad & Tobago in 2024 IPAC Crossover

CALGARY, Canada – There was a lot on the line in the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup crossover game between No. 9 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team and No. 17 Trinidad and Tobago. With the top-two finishing teams advancing to the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, it was a must win. The teams traded goals in a tight contest but USA’s late push wouldn’t be enough as they fell 4-5.

One minute into the contest, quick passing led to Mickell Pierre finishing and Trinidad taking an early lead. USA almost responded on the play immediately following when Kai Kokolakis (Melbourne, Fla.) threaded it across the goalmouth, but no one was in position on the far post to put it in. The Wolves kept pushing and midway through found the equalizer after Koehl Comiskey (Dallas, Pa.) collected it on the right and shot it past USA goalkeeper Ron Alexander. With a minute to go, Trinidad regained the lead when Jordan Vieria used speed to get into the circle, beat Barry Merriman (Washington, D.C.) to make it 1-2.

The second quarter saw four goals posted, with Trinidad remaining on top at the conclusion 3-4. The first came a minute in when Kei Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Germany) evened the game by scoring a no angle shot from the left baseline into the top right corner. Two minutes later, Trinidad got back ahead when Tariq Marcano scored off a penalty corner. In the 15th minute, Comiskey answered on a penalty corner shot into the net. Lastly, in the final minute, Shaquille Daniel put a slip pass on a penalty corner into the net.

A minute into the third, an unfortunate error by Merriman made the score 3-5. USA immediately took action down the other way and earned back-to-back set pieces but to no avail. In the 23rd minute USA almost earned a penalty stroke but after the officials conversed it was deemed shielding. The Wolves tried to make the most of a 2-minute yellow card to Trinidad, but their opposition sat in a deep, box press. USA held control for the remainder of the quarter but couldn’t add to the score as Comiskey earned a green card for drilling.

Thirty-five seconds into the fourth, Kaeppeler with an uncharacteristic breakdown play earned him a 2-minute yellow card and Trinidad a set piece. Down two athletes, Merriman came up big with the stop. On the resuming play, Trinidad was issued a yellow card and USA had a penalty corner shot stopped by Alexander. With 4 minutes to go, Comiskey with a great feed sets Kaeppeler up with an easy tip in to make it 4-5. USA pulled Merriman with 1:35 to go but couldn’t find the back of the net as their comeback came up short.

The USA men will play in the bronze medal match at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the full event live pay-per-view on Watch.Hockey. 

For more information regarding the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups, visit the event page.

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