USMNT Upsets Chile in Shootout to Advance to PAC Final

The match was static for a period before Chile found the equalizer in the 20th minute when an overhead was picked up by Valenzuela Raimundo off the baseline who drove forward and found Nils Strabucchi for the finish (1-1).

Chile closed the half with possession and carried that over into the third frame. Jonathan Klages was called to action many times – making critical saves – even taking one off the face mask and saving one onto the post that fortunately deflected wide.

USA earned their first penalty corner in the 55th minute, but the drag by Aki Kaeppeler was deemed dangerous.

With 9 seconds to go in regulation, Chile had back-to-back penalty corners turned away. The first was ran down by first runner Christian DeAngelis and the second was batted away by Jonathan Klages.

In the shootout, USA's Emil Collins was the difference-maker. After stopping two shots in the first round, he saved a stroke in the second and blocked the third. USA's Jack Heldens, Sekayi Charasika and Marius Leser scored for the 3-1 win.

Key Moments:

• 4’ Pat Harris lobbed an overhead across the circle that Marius Leser brought down and shot on goal
• 9’ Kei Kaeppeler applied pressure to Chile’s defense just outside their defensive circle. He fought and found Wyatt Katz on the far post who put it in for USA’s lead
• 15’ Chile earned the game’s first penalty corner. Kei Kaeppeler had great front running to block the first chance and the re-award was poorly executed
• 20’ Chile evened the game when an overhead into the circle was picked up by Valenzuela Raimundo who drove the baseline and found Nils Strabucchi for the finish (1-1)
• 23’ Green card issued to USA’s Sekayi Charasika
• 30’ With 24 seconds to go before the break, Chile earned a set piece that was miss trapped at the top
• 32’ Green card issued to USA’s Aki Kaeppeler
• 34’ Jonathan Klages called to action following a USA error
• 40’ Chile with a low angle shot from the left side that Jonathan Klages kicked away
• 40’ Chile started a run in this minute that lasted through to the end of the quarter. Jonathan Klages took a shot off his face mask, made a diving save and denied another shot
• 46’ Chile had back-to-back penalty corners – Jonathan Klages denied both
• 48’ Jonathan Klages made the glove save off a Chile set piece
• 55’ USA earned their first penalty corner, but the drag by Aki Kaeppeler was deemed dangerous
• 58’ Chile had three set pieces in succession that were well-defended by USA
• 60’ Chile earned a penalty corner with 9 seconds left on the clock – Christian DeAngelis ran down the first shot and Jonathan Klages batted away the second

Shootout:

Round 1: Emil Collins came up with initial and rebound stop, Kei Kaeppeler’s attempt was stopped

Round 2: Chile won a stroke and Emil Collins made the save, Jack Heldens put it between the goalkeeper’s legs

Round 3: Chile initially ran out of time but upon an umpire referral it was a retake. Emil Collins made a stop and the follow up went off the post. Sekayi Charasika calmly spun and scored

Round 4: Chile scored but Marius Leser stepped up and converted for the win

Noteworthy:

• Aki Kaeppeler played in his 100th international cap
• Chile out shot USA, 11 to 2
• Chile had 12 penalty corners, to USA’s 1
• It has been 16 years since the USA was in the Pan American Cup final (2009)
• USA has only medaled twice at the Pan American Cup – 2009 (2nd) & 2017 (3rd)
• Today marked the 15th meeting between USA and Chile, with USA holding the all-time meeting record 7-5-3
• Chile out shot USA, 11 to 2
• Chile had 12 penalty corners, to USA’s 1

Thoughts from Head Coach Allan Law: "I couldn’t be more proud of the team. They showed tremendous heart, passion, and resilience throughout. We’ve been preparing for moments like tonight over the past nine months, and this result is a tremendous reward for the group’s collective body of work."

A special mention must go to Aki Kaeppeler, who captained the team and earned his 100th cap, an incredible personal achievement and a testament to his commitment to the program.

Now, we must quickly shift our focus to the final against Argentina. It’s a great challenge to face them again, and this is exactly where we aspire to be; competing at the highest level, consistently.”

Next Up: The USMNT have advanced to the Pan American Cup final and will face No. 7 Argentina on Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on Watch.Hockey (PPV).

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