Junior USMNT Drops Heartbreaker in Final Minutes to Canada in Junior Pan American Games Semifinals
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ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – It was a 60-minute, tense match between No. 25 Junior U.S. Men’s National Team and No. 14 Canada in the 2025 Junior Pan American Games (JPAG) semifinals. The lone goal and game winner came in the 57th minute when Canada converted on a penalty corner as USA dropped a heartbreaker.
USA earned a penalty corner 3 minutes into the contest, when Mehtab Grewal hit a hard through ball into the circle and it was deflected high and called dangerous. Unfortunately USA was unable to convert on the initial and second chance.
Midway through the frame, Luke Jackson was called to action twice when Canada produced a backhand and a buildup play that caused congestion near the post.
Following a scoreless first quarter, Canada had control at the start of the second. They produced three circle entries but were denied any shots by USA’s defensive unit. Following a backhand shot that was saved by Luke Jackson, Canada ended up winning two penalty corners. Fortunately the final shot was saved off the post and then hit a Canada player's foot.
At the end of the half, USA had promising possession but were unable to find an outcome.
Canada started the third with a quick set piece that was denied by the stick of Luke Jackson.
In the 42nd minute, Max Schönfelder put Canada’s defenders under pressure, forced a turnover and earned USA a penalty corner. Unsuccessful on the first, another was earned, but Mehtab Grewal’s drag was saved.
Canada put USA under a lot of pressure and won back-to-back penalty corners in the 49th minute, where Luke Jackson denied the second chance.
The game was decided in the 57th minute when a hard foul outside the circle was upgraded to a Canada penalty corner. On the chance, Satpreet Dhadda deflected it in for the lone goal of the game.
USA pulled goalkeeper Luke Jackson with 2 minutes to go but couldn’t generate enough attack to respond as they fell 1-0.
Key Moments:
- 3’ USA earned a penalty corner and although Mehtab Grewal’s drag was saved and the rebound was dangerous, they could not convert on the second chance
- 7’ Canada with a backhand shot that Luke Jackson saved
- 20’ Canada earned their first and second penalty corners, the final shot was saved off the post
- 29’ USA with a circle entry, but unable to find an outcome
- 32’ Canada had a penalty corner drag denied by the stick of Luke Jackson
- 41’ Canada with a close chance that was flicked high and wide
- 42’ Max Schönfelder put Canada’s defenders under pressure, forced a turnover and earned USA a penalty corner. A second set piece was won but the drag was saved
- 49’ Canada won back-to-back penalty corners, Luke Jackson denied the second chance
- 55’ Backhand shot by Canada goes over the goal
- 57’ A hard foul outside the circle was upgraded to a Canada penalty corner. On the chance, Satpreet Dhadda deflected it in (0-1)
- 58’ USA pulled goalkeeper Luke Jackson
- 60’ Canada won a penalty corner with 18 seconds to go but opted to let it go past the 25
Noteworthy:
- Canada out shot USA, 10 to 2
- USA had 4 penalty corners to Canada’s 7
- USA has never beaten or scored on Canada in their four official meetings
Thoughts from Head Coach Pat Harris: "We defended well, but struggled to create chances. These games are always close and are decided by a few crucial moments. We will analyze, look for improvements and prepare well for our last match and a chance to win bronze.”
Next Up: The Junior USMNT will play for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games bronze on Monday, August 18 against No. 18 Chile at 4:30 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on the PanAm Sports Channel.
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