U-21 USMNT Blanked by Argentina at 2026 JPAC
SANTIAGO, Chile – The No. 29 U.S. U-21 Men’s National Team finished out pool play at the 2026 Junior Pan American Cups with a tough 8-0 loss to No. 3 Argentina. Despite the setback, the Junior Wolves move on to the semifinals.
The Argentina offensive penalty corner unit was lethal. At minute six, Argentina earned the first penalty corner of the match, then converted to take the first lead. Two minutes later, USA won their own set piece when Jasper Pouw dribbled into the circle, but the chance was fruitless.
Argentina struck again with time expired in the first quarter, scoring another penalty corner to go up 2-0. Two penalty corner goals and one in field play gave Argentina a 5-0 lead heading into halftime.
A cohesive USA defensive unit kept Argentina out of goal for the third quarter, including denying several penalty corner attempts and a defensive save from Mehtab Grewal.
The Junior Wolves continued to defend in the fourth, as goalkeeper Fabio Pace stretched to make several more saves against a relentless Argentina attack. Three more goals from Argentina to end the match gave them a 8-0 victory.
Next Up: The Junior Wolves will play in the semifinals on Friday, April 17 at 12:15 p.m. ET against No. 16 Canada. Fans can stream it live for free on PanAm Sports Channel.
Key Moments:
- 6’ Argentina convert penalty corner to take a 1-0 lead
- 8’ USA penalty corner
- 13’ Argentina set piece chance is blocked
- 15’ Argentina penalty corner goal to go up 2-0
- 18’ Another set piece conversion puts Argentina up 3-0
- 21’ Argentina penalty corner goal
- 29’ Argentina scores to go up 5-0
- 35’ USA defense outlasts several Argentina penalty corners
- 43’ Argentina set piece, Mehtab Grewal defensive save
- 48’ Argentina penalty corner shot saved by Fabio Pace
- 51’ Another shot saved by USA’s Fabio Face
- 51’ Argentina set piece goal, lead 6-0
- 53’ Argentina scores to go up 7-0
- 59' Final goal from Argentina
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