US Field Hockey News

USA Men Miss Pan Am Cup Semifinals With 2-1 Loss to Chile

LONDON, Ontario – The USA men's field hockey team's bid for a berth in the Pan American Cup semifinals ended with a 2-1 loss to Chile on the final day of pool play.

The loss drops the USA into third place in Pool A, and the team must now be content with seeking a fifth place finish. The USA will most likely meet Mexico, Pool B's fourth place team, in the crossover phase of the tournament on Friday.

Chile will join pool leader Argentina in advancing to the tournament semifinals. The winner of the tournament earns the continent's automatic berth in the 2006 World Cup.

Chile jumped out to a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the game on a penalty corner by captain Felipe Montegu. Ian Kppenberger added to the Chile lead late in the first half on a penalty stroke to give his team a 2-0 halftime advantage.

The USA got on the scoreboard late in the game on a penalty corner goal by Pat harris (Moorpark, Calif.), but it was not enough to lift the USA into the semifinals.

The physically intense game between the two rivals featured three yellow cards - including two issued to Chilean players - and three green cards.

The loss may also have ended USA's hopes for  a spot in the World Cup Qualifiying Tournament. While the Pan Am Cup champion will advance directly to the World Cup, the tournament runner-up is expected to earn a spot in the World Cup Qualifier in Changzhou City, China in early 2006.

May 18 at London, Ontario
Chile 2, USA 1
CHI:Felipe Montegu (PC, 12:00)
CHI: Ian Koppenberger (PS, 29:00)
USA: Pat Harris (PC, 60:00)

Halftime: Chile 2, USA 0

USA Starters: Jang Badhesha, Pat Harris, Jarred Martin, Shawn Hindy, Rinku Bhamber, Ian Scally, Pat Cota, Gurpal Kindy, Shawn Nakamura, Ramandeep Sandhu, Jason Wellings (GK)

Reserves: Koijan Kainth, Daraspreet Kainth, Daniel Jordan, Arjan Reyatt

www.usfieldhockey.com