USWNT Overcome Chile to Win 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup Bronze
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The No. 12 U.S. Women's National Team overcame a halftime deficit to beat No. 13 Chile, 3-2, in a hard-fought bronze medal game of the 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup. After controlling much of the play but trailing at the break, USA responded in the second half to bring home the bronze.
USA controlled the opening quarter, holding the advantage in both circle entries and scoring opportunities while consistently putting pressure on Chile's defense. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute off a penalty corner when Ashley Hoffman played the ball back to inserter Ashley Sessa, who finished the play to give the United Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Although the USA held much of the possession for most of the second frame, it was Chile who made the most of their opportunities. In the 26th minute, Las Diables capitalized on one of their few ventures across midfield, earning a set piece and converting on the rebound to level the match at 1-1. Then, with just 20 seconds remaining before halftime, Chile won another penalty corner and scored on a ball batted out of the air, taking a 2-1 lead into the break.
A determined USA came out of the break searching for an outcome. That moment came in the 34th minute, when the red, white and blue earned back-to-back penalty corners, and on the second attempt Ashley Hoffman put in a low drag to bring the match level, 2-2.
Just 45 seconds into the fourth quarter, the United Eagles earned a penalty stroke after a penalty corner attempt from Meredith Sholder struck the post player. Sessa stepped up and converted the stroke, giving the USA a 3-2 lead.
Chile applied significant pressure in the closing period, making the most of their attacking opportunities and creating danger nearly every time they entered the circle. Las Diables earned four penalty corners late in the contest and pulled their goalkeeper with three minutes remaining in search of an equalizer. USAs remained composed and held on to secure the 3-2 victory.
Player of the Match: Maddie Zimmer (USA)
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Key Moments:
3’ Quick run by Ashley Sessa led to Beth Yeager one-on-on with the goalkeeper
9’ Backhand shot by Phia Gladieux
9’ Reverse by Chile went wide
11’ USA penalty corner won by Bethany Dykema
11’ Ashley Sessa scored off a set piece, 1-0
15’ Penalty corner drag by Mia Schoenbeck saved off the line
18’ Shot by Abby Tamer led to a USA set piece
22’ Backhand shot by Phia Gladieux
24’ USA penalty corner
26’ Chile tallied off a set piece second chance, 1-1
33’ Reverse chance from Ashley Sessa
34’ Ashley Hoffman converted a penalty corner, 2-2
36’ Backhand shot by Megan Valzonis
46’ USA penalty corner turned stroke, Ashley Sessa tallies, 3-2
48’ USA set piece
52’ Chile penalty corner
56’ Chile set piece
57’ Chile pulled their goalkeeper
58’ Chile penalty corner
60’ Chile set piece
Noteworthy:
- Abby Tamer played in her 50th international cap for USA
- This was a rematch of last year's FIH Hockey Nations Cup bronze medal game, where Chile came out on top, 2-1
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Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: “I am delighted we finished with a medal because bouncing back after such a difficult result yesterday was a challenge to process. The athletes showed their willingness to play on the front foot from the start and we really should have made more of our many opportunities in the first half."
"There will be great learning in the fact we conceded the two goals from penalty corners late in the first half from Chile’s only two circle entries and this is an area of our mentality we need to mature in. It was great to see how we came out and dominated the third period in terms of pressure, chances, and not giving up any circle entries throughout the period and deservedly went ahead through two great corners. Chile created lots of chaos in the final quarter and we need to stay calm in those periods but our penalty corner defense held firm."
"I feel we’ve played some great attacking hockey across the last four weeks, including our friendlies against Australia, and are starting to show we are technically and certainly physically capable of competing with top teams."
Next Up: The USWNT's next competition is the 2026 FiH Hockey World Cup in Wavre, Belgium from August 15 to 29.
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