27 photos
MUSCAT, Oman – In their opening game of the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 in Muscat, Oman, the No. 25 U.S. Men’s National Team took on No. 19 Austria. In a close contest, USA scored the lone goal early and produced a solid defensive performance to defeat the Goldjungs, 1-0.
"I am delighted for the team to have been rewarded for their tremendous physical efforts and composed performance," said Allan Law, USMNT Head Coach, following the game. "We had three athletes earn their first caps today, all had great performances." "We still have a lot to work on and areas of continued development, which can only be a positive. We will rest, recover and prepare to play Oman tomorrow."
It took a moment for both teams to settle in, but once a few minutes passed it was USA who held control in the first quarter. In the 6th minute, the Wolves broke the deadlock when in his debut Sekayi Charasika sent a low stick side drag past Austria goalkeeper Jakob Kastner make it 1-0. USA held strong defensively and only gave up one shot in the first quarter.
Both sides traded spells of possession in the second with neither team really testing the other's defense. Austria produced two penalty corner chances, but great defense led by goalkeeper Jonathan Klages and the running of Kei Kaeppeler kept the Goldjungs at bay. USA went into halftime with the lead.
USA had a spectacular third quarter, creating multiple chances including a penalty stroke chance from Aki Kaeppeler, and even though he had Kastner going the other way, his shot went wide. Other looks included a backhand from Henzor Motta that sailed over the crossbar, close range slap from Jack Heldens that was denied and a reverse from K. Kaeppeler that went wide.
USA opened the fourth with two close chances. First Christian DeAngelis took a free hit quickly, found Motta and passed into the circle to Heldens wide open. Heldens spun and shot but Austria goalkeeper Kastner made the stop. On the following play, Charasika had an upright reverse go wide. The Goldjungs continued to search and in the 54th minute had three penalty corner chances in a row. The first two were well defended by first runner DeAngelis, while on the third chance goalkeeper Klages made the save. With a minute to go, the Wolves had a set piece of their own and while the initial drag by A. Kaeppeler was denied, Ajai Dhadwal was on the rebound and saw both his chances stopped. USA held on and defended their lead to open the event with a win.
At the conclusion of the game, Jack Heldens was named Player of the Match.
World Sport Pics
Today’s contest marked three career milestones as Sekayi Charasika, Henzor Motta and Dean Schiller all played in their first international cap for Team USA.
The Wolves are back in action tomorrow when they take on No. 28 Oman at 10:00 a.m. ET. All matches from the event can be live streamed free on FIH.Hockey.
For more information on the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, visit the event page.
#FIHNationsCup
All photographs appearing on this site are property of USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics. They are protected by the U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded, reproduced or used in any way without written permission of USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
If you are a college SID, club coach, sponsor or media outlet, email communications@usafieldhockey.com.
