U-21 USMNT Falls in JPAC Bronze Medal Match to Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile – In the bronze medal match of the 2026 Junior Pan American Cup, the No. 29 U.S. U-21 Men’s National Team faced No. 20 Chile in a tightly contested battle where chances were limited. Chile capitalized on their opportunities to secure a 2–0 victory, leaving the Junior Wolves just short of the podium.
"It was just a very unfortunate game," commented Paul Singh, U-21 USMNT Head Coach, after the match. "We had chances that fell our way but we just couldn’t convert. Chile really took advantage with their home crowd and also were very organized in their counter attack."
Similar to their first meeting, both sides played controlled possession in the first half which saw a few chances. The only real look that came in the first quarter was in the final minute when Chile earned the one and only penalty corner of the half in which Mehtab Grewal saved off the post to close the frame scoreless.
Four minutes into the second period, Chile took the lead after a ball was threaded through the circle, collected and fired into the back of the goal.
Although USA was held to no shots or set pieces in the first half, the red, white and blue upped their attacking presence in the third and fourth quarters. In the 38th minute, a positive circle entry led to two shots that tested Chile's goalkeeper and within the same minute USA earned their first set piece, but found no outcome.
Unfortunately a late, end of third quarter penalty corner goal for Chile extended their lead to 2-0 which put USA in a hole heading into the final frame.
The Junior Wolves didn't let up and continued to search for any results, and even opted to pull goalkeeper Fabio Pace with 2 minutes remaining, but could not overcome Chile as they fell in the bronze medal contest 2-0.
"I feel very sorry for our 05 boys - they deserved more," added Singh. "But we are very proud of how they played from beginning to the end of the tournament. We are now looking forward to a new cycle of athletes and making progress of a new culture and building on the way we play."
Key Moments:
- 15’ Chile penalty corner saved off the line
- 19’ Cross ball is picked up and Chile scored to go up 1-0
- 31’ Chile earned a penalty corner
- 38’ Circle entry that led to two shots for USA
- 38’ USA won a set piece
- 45' Chile extended their lead on a penalty corner goal, 2-0
- 46’ Chile with back-to-back set pieces
- 53’ Sekayi Charasika drove and tried to flick over goalkeeper
- 58' Goalkeeper Fabio Pace was removed for an extra field player
- 59' USA won three penalty corners in succession
Noteworthy:
- Mebtab Grewal recorded a defensive save
- USA missed out on qualifying for the 2027 FIH Hockey Junior World Cup
- The last FIH Hockey Junior World Cup the Junior Wolves competed in was in 2021
- Sekayi Charasika was named the Junior Pan American Cup Male Player of the Tournament
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