US Field Hockey News

U.S. Men Draw With Chile in Pan American Games Opener

SANTO DOMINGO – The U.S. Men’s Field Hockey national team survived a late start and some steamy temperatures, but it couldn’t beat a stubborn Chile team as the two squads played to a 0-0 draw in the opening game of the Pan American Games Field Hockey tournament.

“Our boys played good hockey,” said U.S. coach Shiv Jagday. “I say 'good' because this is not their best. I’m very proud of them. However, we are disappointed in the result because this would have put us in the driver's seat.”

With the draw, both teams remain in medal contention, but each side was looking to gain an early advantage with an opening day victory. The two teams face remaining games against top-seeded Argentina and a very young Dominican Republic team in Pool A, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the semifinals. The draw keeps both teams in the running for a semifinal berth in a pool where goal differential could become the deciding factor in which teams will remain in medal contention.

After a one-hour delay in the starting time to sufficiently water the turf, the U.S. men and Chile played a fast and physical first half that resulted in the issuance of two green cards and two yellow cards on the Chileans in the 88-degree temperatures.

The U.S. controlled the pace early in the second half, but misfired on four penalty corner opportunities and failed to capitalize on additional scoring opportunities.

“The stats speak for themselves,” said Jagday. “We had eight penalty corners to Chile’s one. We had six golden goal scoring opportunities with the goalkeeper out of the goal and the ball just lying there. But I have to give credit to our boys. They we’re focused and didn’t let the delay or anything else distract them.”

With U.S. goalkeeper Jason Wellings (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) facing few challenges, the save of the game came when U.S. captain Shawn Nakamura batted down a shoulder-high shot headed for the goal with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

“These games you’ve got to do what you can,” said Nakamura on his game-saving deflection. “When everything’s on the line, you have to risk a body part. It wasn’t a very hard shot, but I was just in the right place.”

With time running down, the U.S. team\s final scoring chances were negated when a miscommunication resulted in a time wasting call outside the Chile circle, and a tackle on Pat Harris inside the circle resulted in a turnover for Chile in the final minutes.

“We were hoping for a win and unfortunately we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” said Nakamura. “The next two games are important After a tie here, we’re still hoping to make the semis, so every game and every goal counts.”

The U.S. will next face the world’s sixth-ranked Argentina team on Monday, Aug. 4 at the Parque del Este Hockey Stadium. The game features added significance for U.S. team member Ian Scally who was born in Argentina and learned the game of hockey while growing up in Buenos Aires.

“I’m trying to calm myself down because I know I’m going to be really excited to play,” said Scally whose father Gabriel was a two-time Olympian for Argentina and is currently an assistant coach on the U.S. staff.  “It’s a big game and we’re going to try and make the best of it and make sure the goal differential doesn’t effect us. It’s fun. That’s why we joined the team to play in these kind of games.”

USA 0, Chile 0

Chile

Cristian Montegu (GK), Alfredo Gantz, Gabriel Thiermann, Jorge O’Ryan, Matias Vogel, Esteban Krainz, Cristobal Rodriguez, Felipe Montegu, Alan Stein, Felipe Casanova, Martin Sotomayor

Reserves: Ian Koppenberger, Pablo Kuhlenthal

United States

Jang Badhesha, Pat Harris, Jarred Martin, Shawn Hindy,  Rinky Bhamber, Ian Scally, Pat Cota, Shawn Nakamura, Daljeet Sagoo, Koijan Kainth, Jason Wellings (GK)

Reserves: Gurpal Kundi, Daraspreet Kainth, David Schmoyer

Cards: Chile Cristian Montegu (G), Esteban Krainz (Y), Felipe Casanova (G),  Matias Amoroso (Y)

Umpires: Donny Gobinsingh (TRI), Chirs Wilson (CAN)

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