Junior USMNT Unable to Withstand Argentina Attack in Second JPAG Match
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ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – For their second pool play match of the 2025 Junior Pan American Games (JPAG) in Asunción, Paraguay, the No. 25 Junior U.S. Men’s National Team faced No. 3 Argentina. An offensive outpouring from a strong Argentina side saw the Junior Wolves fall, 8-0.
Despite a lopsided final score, it was USA with the first penalty corner chance of the match, which was earned just a minute in by Mehtab Grewal. The Junior Wolves were unable to convert and were quick to concede the next chance to Argentina, where goalkeeper Luke Jackson made the save on the initial shot. A third Argentina set piece saw a defensive save from Grewal.
It was not long after that Argentina finally turned a penalty corner into a goal, taking a 1-0 lead at the 12-minute mark. In the 23rd minute, Los Leones' attack charged into USA’s circle with a quick shot, which was saved by goalkeeper Luke Jackson. Argentina immediately earned another set piece and a second goal. A field goal and third penalty corner conversion gave Argentina a 4-0 lead at halftime.
A few minutes into the third quarter, goalkeeper Jackson made the initial save, but Santiago Fernandez put away the rebound to put Argentina up 5-0. A penalty stroke goal for Argentina made it 6-0 heading into the final quarter.
USA’s defense kept Argentina quiet for most of the fourth frame, surviving a barrage of offensive outbursts.
It took until four minutes left in the match for Argentina to score again, as USA trailed 7-0. In the final seconds, Los Leones tallied one final penalty corner goal to defeat the Junior Wolves, 8-0.
Key Moments:·
- 1' Mehtab Grewal earned USA’s first penalty corner, but were unable to score
- 3’ Argentina garnered their first penalty corner, the shot was saved by Luke Jackson
- 10’ Argentina’s second penalty corner was blocked by USA defense
- 10’ A third Argentina set piece saw a defensive save from Mehtab Grewal
- 12’ Argentina scored on a penalty corner to lead 1-0
- 23’ Shot by Argentina was saved by Luke Jackson, but USA concede another penalty corner, which was scored
- 26’ Argentina scored a field goal to take a 3-0 lead
- 30’ Argentina converted another set piece opportunity to take a 4-0 lead before halftime
- 34’ Argentina put away a rebound to go up 5-0
- 38’ Argentina converted a penalty stroke to make it 6-0
- 56’ Bruno Correa scored to put Argentina up 7-0
- 57’ USA was shown back-to-back yellow cards (10- and 5-minute)
- 59’ Argentina scored one final penalty corner goal to win 8-0
Noteworthy:
- Luke Jackson made 16 saves
- Argentina had 17 penalty corners to USA's one
- USA has never defeated nor scored against Argentina in their six meetings
From Head Coach Pat Harris: ”We had some good patches of play during the game. We are making positive steps and will use these to prepare for a very important last pool match against Brazil."
Next Up: The Junior USMNT will play No. 31 Brazil in their final pool play match of the 2025 Junior Pan American Games on Thursday, August 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on the PanAm Sports Channel.
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