U-21 USMNT Comeback Falls Short Against Canada
SANTIAGO, Chile – The No. 29 U.S. U-21 Men’s National Team fell to No. 16 Canada by a narrow 3-2 margin in their third contest of the 2026 Junior Pan American Cups. Despite the outcome, it was a solid performance from the Junior Wolves.
After putting on pressure for the first nine minutes, Canada finally broke through the USA defense and tallied with a penalty corner conversion. In the final minutes of the opening frame, a run up the field from Sekayi Charasika earned USA their first set piece chance, which was blocked. Canada followed it up with a second goal to close out the quarter with a 2-0 advantage.
The Junior Wolves kept Canada off the board in the second frame, and the score remained 2-0 at halftime. The third quarter would be USA's comeback, starting with Charasika's penalty corner goal at minute 32.
USA now trailed 2-1, and the two teams battled for a remainder of the quarter before USA found the equalizer. It was a quick transition up off an aerial ball to Bennet Nobereit, who only needed to send it across to score.
In the final tension-filled quarter, Canada found the goal they needed at 54 minutes, reclaiming their lead to finish out with a 3-2 victory.
Next Up: The Junior Wolves take on Venezuela on Sunday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Fans can stream it live for free on PanAm Sports Channel.
Key Moments:
- 9’ Canada scores off the first penalty corner off the match
- 13’ USA set piece opportunity
- 14’ Canada scores to take a 2-0 lead
- 32’ Penalty corner chance for USA, Sekayi Charasika converts
- 44’ Bennet Nobereit scores, USA ties it 2-2
- 47’ Canada penalty corner goal is called back
- 50’ USA earns a penalty corner
- 54’ Canada scores to reclaim the lead, 3-2
Noteworthy Numbers:
- Sekayi Charasika has scored in all three JPAC matches (12 total goals)
All photographs appearing on this site are property of USA Field Hockey & World Sport Pics. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded, reproduced or used in any way without the written permission of USA Field Hockey & World Sport Pics..
If you are college club coach, high school coach, sponsor or media outlet, email communications@usafieldhockey.com.
