World Cup Bound: USWNT Beats Uruguay in PAC Semifinal Shootout to Punch Ticket
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MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – The No. 12 U.S. Women’s National Team is FIH Hockey World Cup bound following a nerve-wrecking match decided in a shootout against the hosts No. 21 Uruguay in the 2025 Pan American Cup semifinals. USA took the lead, but Uruguay equalized as regulation finished 1-1. The shootout went four rounds with the United Eagles tallying all chances and Kelsey Bing making a critical stop for the 4-2 victory and place in the final.
The sold-out crowd witnessed a close, back-and-forth contest that tested the defense of each side. Although USA held more control in the first half, it was Uruguay who put on the pressure in the second.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute on USA’s fourth penalty corner when from the top Mia Schoenbeck sent it back to inserter Ryleigh Heck who put it over the goalkeeper’s shoulder.
Uruguay equalized less than a minute later, but upon review the penalty corner goal was called back as it hit a foot.
Just inside the fourth quarter, Uruguay earned a penalty corner and, on the chance, won a penalty stroke for a back stick tackle. Kelsey Bing blocked the chance to keep the 1-0 lead.
In the 52nd minute, on a third set piece in a row, Uruguay scored through Sol Amadeo.
As time ticked on both teams continued to fight and with just 35 seconds remaining Leah Crouse came up with a diving defensive clear to keep Uruguay out.
In the shootout, USA’s Abby Tamer, Reese D’Ariano, Ryleigh Heck and Phia Gladieux all scored while Kelsey Bing made a key stop in the third round and Uruguay ran out of time in the fourth for the 4-2 win.
USA returns to the Pan American Cup final for the first time since 2013.
Key Moments:
- 4’ USA earned a penalty corner as the drag by Caroline Ramsey was blocked and Abby Tamer on the rebound couldn’t create
- 10’ Lucy Adams earned another USA penalty corner and on the second attempt there was a miss trap at the top. Uruguay quickly transitioned downfield, but recovery run defense allowed Katie Dixon made stop
- 14’ Another USA set piece that was unfortunately not controlled at the top
- 22’ Reese D’Ariano drove hard to the right and fired off a shot that was saved
- 26’ USA had a penalty corner well defended by Uruguay
- 37’ On USA’s fourth penalty corner, Mia Schoenbeck sent it back to inserter Ryleigh Heck who put it over the goalkeeper’s shoulder for the lead
- 38’ Uruguay converted on a set piece but upon review it hit a foot before going in
- 44’ Backhand by Reese D’Ariano goes wide
- 47’ Following a Uruguay penalty corner that resulted in a penalty stroke, Kelsey Bing came up big with the stop
- 52’ On third set piece in a row Uruguay tallied through Sol Amadeo
- 56’ Bachand shot by Uruguay sailed wide
- 58’ Uruguay issued a green card
- 59’ Leah Crouse with a diving reverse clear to keep Uruguay out
Shootout:
Round 1: Abby Tamer stepped up, spun and scored. Uruguay also scored
Round 2: Reese D’Ariano with a clever spun to a backhand. Uruguay earned a stroke and tallied
Round 3: Ryleigh Heck spun and scored while Kelsey Bing swiped the ball away
Round 4: Phia Gladieux backhanded it into the net, Uruguay ran out of time
Noteworthy:
- USA had 6 penalty corners to Uruguay's 5
- The United Eagles produced 5 shots to Uruguay's 4
- USA had beat Uruguay in all of their six meetings
- USA returns to the Pan American Cup final for the first time since 2013
Argentina have already qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup with their finish in the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League.
Hosts Belgium and the Netherlands automatically qualify, and Germany also secured their spot from their finish during the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League.
Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: "We made hard work of it by not using the circle entries and penalty corners in the first half, but we showed positive energy in the second until we scored. We lacked periods of composure when Uruguay came out more aggressively.
That said for this young inexperienced group to play and win a shootout with so much on the line and with such a big partisan crowd will have been such a great learning experience. The quality of our young shootout takers was exceptional coupled with the ever reliable Kelsey Bing who had done her homework as diligently as always. To have qualified for the World Cup so early allows us time to plan and develop this exciting group and those back in Charlotte to continue the progress further."
Next Up: The USWNT have advanced to the Pan American Cup final and will play No. 2 Argentina on Sunday, August 3 at 4:30 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on Watch.Hockey (PPV).
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