USA Unleashes Attack, Shuts Out Brazil to Open 2026 JPAC
SANTIAGO, Chile – The opening match of the 2026 Junior Pan American Cups in Santiago, Chile was a goalfest for the No. 29 U.S. U-21 Men’s National Team, as they shut out Brazil 12-0.
Sekayi Charasika was an unstoppable force, tallying nine goals, while captain Mehtab Grewal notched a hat trick.
“It's nice to get three points and put in our chances," said Paul Singh, U-21 USMNT Head Coach. "Now our focus is on the upcoming big game against Chile, and fixing some of our issues defensively to get another result.”
Charasika got things moving quickly, scoring the opening goal with a spin move. He tallied a second for the Junior Wolves not long after, a reverse shot that was assisted by Grewal.
In minute six, USA earned the first penalty corner of the match, but with no result. Charasika’s hat trick came at the 11-minute mark.
In the 19th minute, Charasika scored a fourth and Mehtab Grewal tallied to put USA up a comfortable 5-0 at the halftime break.
Brazil kept USA off the board until the 37th minute. After being taken down on a breakaway in the minute, Oliver Shindler earned a penalty stroke, and Grewal delivered for USA's sixth goal.
To close out the third, Charasika nailed another reverse shot, his fifth goal of the day and seventh for USA.
The fourth quarter kicked off with three consecutive penalty corner conversions, two from Charasika’s drag flick and a third from Grewal’s drive. The boost put USA up double digits at 10-0.
In the final minutes, Charasika added two more, bringing his total on the day to nine and USA's to 12.
WorldSportPics
Player of the Match: Sekayi Charasika (USA)
Next Up: The Junior Wolves will face host No. 20 Chile on Thursday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Fans can stream it live for free on PanAm Sports Channel.
Key Moments:
- 2’ Sekayi Charasika opening goal to put USA up 1-0
- 4’ Reverse goal from Sekayi Charasika, USA leads 3-0
- 6’ USA earns the first penalty corner of the match, no result
- 11’ Sekayi Charasika gets a hat trick, USA up 3-0
- 19’ Penalty corner conversion from Sekayi Charasika
- 19’ Mehtab Grewal tallies to put USA up 5-0
- 37’ Oliver Shindler earns a penalty stroke, Mehtab Grewal converts, USA up 6-0
- 45' Sekayi Charasika scores a fifth goal to give USA a 7-0 lead
- 45' USA goalkeeper Brett Williamson is substituted in for Fabio Pace
- 47’ Sekayi Charasika set piece goal
- 48’ Sekayi Charasika set piece goal
- 49’ Mehtab Grewal scores off penalty corner, USA up 10-0
- 56’ Eight goals for Sekayi Charasika
- 57' Ninth goal from Sekayi Charasika puts USA ahead, 12-0
Noteworthy Numbers:
- Six athletes earned their first junior international cap: Fabio Pace (GK), Oliver Shindler, Fabian Vogel, Jack Weitzmann, Tobias Whittaker, and Brett Williamson (GK)
- This was the largest margin the Junior Wolves have ever defeated Brazil. The previous two match-ups were 3-2 wins
- At nine goals, it was the most Sekayi Charasika has ever notched in a junior match (previous high was four goals against Mexico)
- USA converted on four of their nine set piece chances
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