Photo courtesy of PAHF

TORONTO, Canada - May 29, 2016 - Despite taking an early lead, the U.S. U-21 Men's National Team couldn't come away with the win yesterday as they came up short against a strong and powerful Chile team in the bronze medal match of the Junior Men's Pan American Championship. Team USA's finish earned them fourth overall in the tournament.

“I’m immensely proud of the effort of the men," said Rutger Wiese, U-21 USMNT Head Coach. "We had the lead for so long, I thought we were going to do it and O’Lari was exceptional in goal. In the end I think Chile’s physical superiority told and it was that which led to errors on our part. In international hockey it’s normally the team that makes the fewest errors that wins. That was Chile and we congratulate them.”

On a searing hot Toronto day, the game was always going to be a test for the young U-21 USMNT, but the way they attacked the game from the first whistle it was obvious that their mindset was that their final game of the tournament was going to see them bow out with nothing left to give.

As the game progressed through it’s early stages it was clear that Team USA's tactical plan was working. Taking away space for their more experienced opponents to play in not only frustrated Chile, it also created space for counter attacks. It was on one such counter that Amar Khokar (Valencia, Calif.) found a foot and won a penalty corner. With a fantastic corner conversion rate in the tournament for the U-21 USMNT, the Chileans were clearly worried. And as the ball shot into the bottom left corner from the stick of Sean Cicchi (Thousand Oaks Calif.), their fears were well founded. But even with the lead Team USA knew they couldn’t let up. They managed to hold on and go into the half a goal up – in no small part thanks to the brilliance of Nate O’Lari (Orange, Mass.) in goal for USA.

The second began much like the first ended. Chile pressed for an equalizer but the U-21 USMNT defense stood firm. Not only that, Team USA had a fabulous chance to extend their lead from Khokar’s wonderful skill, but Javieer Singh (Hayward, Calif.) couldn’t apply the finish at the back post. 2-0 would have put a whole new complexion on the game, but failure to convert the chance seemed to inspire Chile as they came back hard at the U-21 USMNT.

The more Chile pressed the more they began to find spaces. And as Team USA tired, the full senior internationals in the Chilean line-up had the ability to punish the slightest positional error. Quick fire goals put Chile ahead for the first time and now USA had to push forward, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Chile took full advantage with two more goals and despite the U-21 USMNT switching their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player, they couldn’t find a way back into the game. The final result was USA 1, CHI 4.

“To see how far this team has come in such a short space of time is remarkable," reflected Wiese on the overall tournament. "They have been completely focused on what we have been trying to achieve and have done all they possibly could have done while here in Toronto to achieve that. We have a young team and a number of these guys will be back to try again at the next tournament and I look forward to seeing them put what they have learned here at the Pan Ams into practice. From the perspective of all the coaching staff, they have been a pleasure to work with.”

The U.S. U-21 Men's National Team is extremely grateful for all the support they have received from The USA Field Hockey Men’s Foundation and Booster Club, families and friends of the players, and those who have also contributed to their RallyMe campaign. Continue to follow the U.S. U-21 Men's National Team by visiting usafieldhockey.com. #NoOffDays

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