# | Info | Time | Teams | Score | Status | Match Sheet |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 August 2013 | ||||||
10 | Pool A | 11:00am | MEX - USA | 2 - 3 (1 - 1) | Final |
Both teams arrived into this match with one win and a loss, and therefore still with the possibility of making the semi-finals with a win in this last pool match. However, Mexico lost heftily to Argentina (2-13) and a draw would favour the USA.
Match was balanced to start, the American attackers facing a well-organized and disciplined Mexican defense. The USA could not capitalize on their first penalty-corner, shot just wide, and Mexico were also unsuccessful at the other end after a swift counter-attack. The young Mexicans became progressively more entrepreneurial and stunned the Americans in the 17th minute with a goal by Francisco Aguilar after good pressure on the American defense.
The USA tried to build opportunities patiently but generated few shots on goal, with their best chance a strong shot by Pat Harris from close range well handled by Moisés Vargas in the Mexican goal. Harris was however on target in the 33rd minute with a diving deflection to tie the score going into the half-time break (1-1).
Mexico knew that they needed to score and immediately set to the task, forcing a penalty-corner in the 39th minute. Aguilar was impeded illegally while shooting and converted himself the resulting penalty-stroke to give back a narrow one-goal lead to Mexico. The USA thought that they had once again closed the gap in the 48th minute but the goal was denied and the subsequent penalty-corner shot wide.
The USA played with more and more urgency, but the Mexicans managed to keep their compact defensive structure for a while. There was however only so much pressure they could sustain and Pat Harris scored a superb goal, his 2nd of the match, to bring back the score level with 10 minutes to go. The end of match was exciting, with the Mexicans pushing desperately for a third goal and Francisco Aguilar creating havoc in the American defense, but they had to play short the final minutes of the match after a yellow card to one of their defenders, and Pat Harris completed his hat-trick in the final minute of play with a phenomenal penalty-corner that shaved the crossbar.
With the win, the USA move on to the semi-final and will have to wait until later today to know their opponent.
Team | Minute | Shirt # | Player | Action |
---|---|---|---|---|
MEX | 17 | 15 | AGUILAR Francisco | PC |
USA | 33 | 5 | HARRIS Pat | FG |
MEX | 39 | 15 | AGUILAR Francisco | PS |
USA | 58 | 5 | HARRIS Pat | FG |
USA | 70 | 5 | HARRIS Pat | PC |
Team | Minute | Shirt # | Player | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
MEX | 49 | 7 | BOBADILLA Oscar | Green |
MEX | 68 | 5 | BÁEZ Francisco | Yellow |