Indoor USMNT Tested on Day 2 of Nkosi Cup
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – It was a challenging day for the No. 15 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team at the 2025 Nkosi Cup, as they came up short in both of their matches. First the Wolves couldn’t withstand the scoring prowess of No. 6 South Africa, as they dropped their first contest, 6-1. Next, USA fought to come back, but a late goal put No. 18 New Zealand ahead 3-2.
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South Africa opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. They doubled their lead just before the halftime break through a field goal.
Pat Harris briefly brought the contest to life by putting USA within one, 2-1, but South Africa went on to score four unanswered, all from Mustaphaa Cassiem, for the 6-1 final.
Key Moments:
- 2’ South Africa opens the scoring off an early field goal, 1-0
- 18’ South Africa doubles their lead, 2-0
- 23’ Pat Harris got USA on the board to make it 2-1
- 25’ South Africa converts on a penalty corner, 3-1
- 27’ South Africa tallies a set piece, 4-1
- 37’ South Africa earns and scores on a penalty corner, 5-1
- 39’ A final goal for South Africa, 6-1
Noteworthy:
- Goalkeeper Amar Singh played in his first international indoor cap
- The last time South Africa and USA met was at the 2023 Nkosi Cup, where South Africa won 7-4 and 11-5
Thoughts from Head Coach Pat Cota: “This game against South Africa was another good step forward for the team today. We improved in our understanding and executing play in our structures.”
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The match between No. 15 Indoor USMNT and No. 18 New Zealand was an instant classic. The Black Sticks took the lead in the 5th minute and added another in the 15th minute. USA was quick to respond and within a minute tallied two penalty corner goals from Jack Weitzman and Alex Beauduin to make it 2-2.
This scoreline stood for 20 minutes before New Zealand fired home the game winner from a late set piece with just 2 minutes remaining to clinch the 3-2 win.
Key Moments:
- 5’ New Zealand scores a field goal to open the scoring, 1-0
- 15’ New Zealand adds another goal, 2-0
- 16’ Jack Weitzman converts a penalty corner to bring it to 2-1
- 17’ Alex Beauduin evens the game at 2-2 with a low near post shot
- 38’ New Zealand tallies the game winner off a penalty corner, 3-2
Noteworthy:
- New Zealand and USA last met 22 years ago in the 2003 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 11th/12th place game, where after regulation finished 5-5, USA prevailed in penalty strokes 3-2
Thoughts from Head Coach Pat Cota: “The team showed good effort and fight to get back into the match after falling behind by two goals. Small margins of error in indoor can be critical. We were inconsistent in the second match and challenge ourselves to keep growing.”
Next Up: The Indoor USMNT has tomorrow off before facing No. 4 Australia on Monday, December 15 at 3:20 a.m. ET.
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