USWNT Starts 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup with Hard-Fought Draw Against Argentina
WAVRE, Belgium – The No. 11 U.S. Women’s National Team opened the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against No. 2 Argentina. After falling behind in the first quarter, USA responded with a composed second quarter and found the equalizer. Both teams battled through a tense second half without a game-winning goal.
USA came out with early pressure when Reese D’Ariano forced a deep turnover in the second minute and stayed strong on the ball to earn a penalty corner. Defensively, USA remained composed through the opening minutes, limiting Argentina’s opportunities. Las Leonas found their first shot in the 9th minute, but goalkeeper Kelsey Bing was there to make the save. However, the pressure increased late in the quarter and in the 12th minute, Argentina capitalized at the back post for the 1-0 lead.
USA picked up the attack in the second quarter, creating several positive entries into the circle. That pressure paid off in the 27th minute, when Maddie Zimmer drove down the right baseline and sent the ball across the circle, where Emma DeBerdine was there to finish and level the score. The teams went into halftime tied, 1–1.
The United Eagles opened the third frame by successfully defending an Argentina set piece. The attack then created a pair of opportunities, with Phia Gladieux and Abby Tamer each producing backhand attempts. Late in the quarter, goalkeeper Kelsey Bing and the defensive penalty corner unit stood strong to fend off two penalty corners, with the latter resulting in a strong USA corner breakout to earned one of their own but were unable to convert.
The fourth quarter brought plenty of late-game tension, beginning with a defensive save by Ashley Hoffman in the 47th minute to keep Argentina off the board. Las Leonas earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 48th minute, but Meredith Sholder came up with a key stop on the first attempt. USA responded with a set piece of their own in the 51st minute, but Ashley Sessa’s attempt was also stopped. The final minutes remained tense as both teams pushed for the game-winner, but neither could break through, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw.
Player of the Match: Claire Danahy
World Sport Pics
Key Moments:
2’ USA penalty corner
7’ USA entry, but a missed connection on the shot
9’ Argentina shot, saved by Kelsey Bing
11’ Green card issued to Lauren Wadas
12’ Argentina scored, 0-1
17’ Kelsey Bing with a save
19’ Argentina set piece
23’ Backhand by Ryleigh Heck
27’ Emma DeBerdine equalized, 1-1
28’ USA penalty corner
32’ Argentina set piece
36’ Backhand by Phia Gladieux
38’ Abby Tamer reverse goes wide
41’ Argentina penalty corner
45’ Argentina set piece
45’ USA penalty corner
47’ Defensive save by Ashley Hoffman
48’ Argentina penalty corner
51’ USA set piece
53’ Green card issued to Argentina
Noteworthy:
- USA and Argentina last met at the 2025 Pan American Cup final, where Las Leonas won 3-0
- The last time USA and Argentina tied was during the 2019 FIH Hockey Pro League
- Emma DeBerdine scored only her third international goal, but first field goal
Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: “I am super proud of every one of the squad members, including those at home, because these types of performance come from hard work and pushing each other especially in our defending. While Argentina dominated for periods our composure in defense and penalty corner defense was on point today and that is fifty percent of the game. We had two starting defenders on less than twenty caps yet played with real maturity. We still threatened in attack but need a little more composure and connection in defense. We are in the tournament, but this stands for nothing if we don’t get a good result next up.”
Next Up: The USWNT play their second FIH Hockey World Cup pool game on Monday, August 17 at 5:00 a.m. ET against No. 14 Scotland. Watch all games on CBS Sports or Watch.Hockey (PPV).
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