History of the Pan American Cup

The Pan American Cups is an international field hockey competition for men and women organized by the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF). The tournament started in the year 2000 for the men's competition and one year later for the women's.

The winner of each tournament is awarded an automatic berth to the men's and women’s FIH Hockey World Cup, respectively. Before its creation, teams would only qualify for the World Cup if they had finished in the highest position in previous edition or by winning a berth at a World Cup Qualifier.

Taking a look back through the event's 25-year history, it is striking to see how the world order of hockey has changed over time. In front of a home crowd in 2000, Cuba breezed through the men’s event, racking up 51 goals in the pool matches that included a 14-0 demolition of both Peru and Barbados and a 3-1 win over Argentina. The final was a close affair between Canada, who had beaten Argentina in the semifinals on penalty strokes, and Cuba, who had advanced with a 8-0 win over Chile.

In the 2004 edition, which acted as a qualifying event for the 2006 Monchengladbach World Cup in Germany, it was Los Leones who dominated. To be more accurate, it was the firepower of Jorge Lombi, with 26 goals to his name, that propelled Argentina toward their first Pan American Cup. Argentina faced Canada in the final, and in a repeat of the 2000 edition, the Red Caribous were the runner-up after a 2-1 loss.

That scoreline was reversed four years later in Chile when Canada met USA in the final. After two silver medals, Canada was determined to take gold, and they fought their way through in the 2008 iteration. In the semifinals, they met a resolute Argentina and the match went to extra time, with Canada coming back after falling behind twice. After regulation it was 3-3 and Connor Grimes became Canada’s hero when he scored the winner in the 80th minute.

In the final, Canada met USA and again fought back from a deficit, tying the match at 1-1 and sending it to extra time. This time Paul Wetlaufer was Canada's champion as he scored the winner to hand the Red Caribous a well-deserved title.

The fourth edition was held in Canada, with the winner guaranteed a place at the 2014 World Cup in The Hague, The Netherlands. This was the first sighting of the exciting team that was beginning to develop in the blue and white colors of Argentina. A year later those same players were wearing bronze medals around their necks as they surprised the hockey world with a third place finish at the World Cup. A gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games was the culmination of this team’s talents and ambitions. Again, it was Canada who suffered the heartbreak of a loss in the final, 4-0 to Argentina, with all four goals scored by the precocious talent of Gonzalo Peillat.

Argentina continued their dominance in 2017 and 2022, claiming victories over Canada (2-0) and Chile (5-1), respectively, in the finals. The 2017 edition, which took place in Lancaster, Pa., USA, saw the hosts endure a heartbreak in the semifinals against Canada. After coming from behind to tie the match at 1-1 in regulation, the Wolves fell 3-4 in the shootout. USA used the sour taste to exact revenge and top Trinidad and Tobago, 3-0, to claim bronze.

In 2022, it was again USA who suffered at the hands of a semifinal shootout to determine their placement fate. Scoreless through regulation, Chile defeated USA in the shootout 3-1, dashing the red, white and blue’s chances of World Cup qualification. Canada then topped USA, 3-1, with a come from behind performance to claim bronze behind men’s event’s top-scorer, Gordon Johnston (10 goals).

The women’s edition of the Pan American Cup has been dominated by three teams. With one exception, the results have been Argentina, USA, and Canada – gold, silver, and bronze respectively. The one change to the order was Chile’s bronze medal at the expense of Canada in 2009. While Argentina might have bragging rights for this event, there is evidence that the other teams are closing the gap. In a thrilling match in 2009, USA held Las Leonas to a 2-2 draw and sent the game to penalty strokes. At the end of the first round of penalty strokes, the score stood at 4-4 so the match went to sudden victory. USA's attempt missed and Noel Barrionuevo stepped up to give Argentina the title.

In the 2013 edition, held in Mendoza, Argentina, it was again the USA who were determined to halt Argentina's dominance of the event. It was a closely fought, competitive match with just one goal separating the teams – a 55th minute goal from Las Leonas' Delfina Merino.

In 2017, the gold medal match between Argentina and Chile was close. After a scoreless first half, the action packed third frame saw the score change five times. Las Leonas found the back of the net twice in minute 41 before Chile answered two minutes later. In the 45th minute, Argentina tallied two more for the 4-1 win. In the bronze contest, Canada took the lead in the second quarter, but USA pushed back to find the equalizer in the third and game-winner in the fourth to claim the 2-1 victory.

Chile, the hosts of the 2022 edition, had an inspiring performance, especially in the semifinals against USA. In front of a large home crowd, Domenica Ananias scored to give Las Diablas the lead. In the final minute, USA forward and the event's leading scorer Erin Matson (10 goals), evened the match. Chile won the shootout 2-0 to advance to the final – but Argentina bested them, 4-2. In a repeat of the previous year, USA and Canada met for bronze, but this time it was Canada who found the decider for the 1-0 victory.