In the final match on Day 3 of the Pan American Games Men’s Competition Mexico and the USA played. Both (Pool B) teams were looking for their first tournament win. The United States took an early 1-0 lead off a Michiel DIJXHOORN field goal. But this lead did not last long as Mexico’s Francisco AGUILAR MONTOYA tied the match in the 7^th minute off a penalty corner. Both teams continued to trade possession, but Mexico took a 2-1 lead off a breakaway by AGUAYO OLGUIN in the 18^th minute. Two minutes later, Alexis Eduardo CAMPILLO LOPEZ made the score 3-1 over the USA. Around the 26^th minute, the USA had a chance to cut Mexico’s lead, but could not covert the penalty corner. Yet soon after, the United States’ Kevin BARBER scored off a penalty corner to put the USA within one goal of Mexico. With either team unable to score again, the halftime score remained Mexico 3 and the USA 2.

For much of the second half, both teams were fighting for possession and playing in the midfield. Mexico had the attacking advantage as play was mostly within their attacking half. The USA had a chance to tie the match off a penalty corner in the 45^th minute, but the shot went high above the net. Mexico received a penalty corner in the 55^th minute, but also could not covert it. The USA had another chance to tie the match off a penalty corner in the 61^st minute, but the shot was blocked by Mexico’s keeper VARGAS GARCIA. In the 65^th minute Mexico’s Guillermo Antonio PERDRAZA SAENZ received a yellow card. However, with the USA unable to capitalize off this opportunity, the final score remained Mexico 3 and USA 2. And Mexico earned its first tournament win.

Match Quotes

Mexico’s Coach Arsenio Alberto LOPEZ DELOYA

On the match…

With each match we are changing and improving things. With our match against Argentina it was our work on defense; and against Cuba we improved one step more. Today for me it was important to win and not because it was against the United States. It is because we are improving and I wanted that to be evident. Now we are playing for a spot in the 5th / 6^th place match and this was our goal.

Mexico’s Francisco AGUILAR MONTOYA

On the match and his emotions…

We worked to get this victory and it is very important for us to have won this game. We knew we have been improving and working hard to commit our past errors and building off our past experiences. I believe we controlled the match in the second half and then we won.

Mexico’s Alexis Eduardo CAMPILLO LOPEZ

On the victory and scoring Mexico’s third goal in the 3-2 win over the United States…

I never really look at the scoreboard and did not think about it in the moment. I did not want to commit the same errors we did against Cuba. My goal is not what is important [per say], what is important is that this is my first international tournament and I am very happy.

The United States’ Coach Nick Conway

On the match…

It was an exciting match. Unfortunately we gave up two careless goals. We knew Mexico could gain momentum and this is what they ended up doing and they won.

On the difference between the first and second halves and no goals being scored in the second half…

I do not think there was much difference. I think we still had opportunities in the 2^nd half. I think the Mexican post player made a top class save and then we had a goal disallowed from some interesting play by our players. It was a strange day at the office. I think this loss will help us. We are in a very low place right now and we will work like dogs to get out.

The United States’ Captain Sean HARRIS

On picking his team up from here…

We will review what we have gone over for past games and keep our team together because losing a game like that really takes a toll on the team.