USMNT Narrowly Misses Out on FIH Hockey Nations Cup Medal Following Shootout Loss to Poland

MUSCAT, Oman – In the bronze medal match of the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 in Muscat, Oman, the No. 25 U.S. Men’s National Team met No. 24 Poland. It was a tale of two halves, as Poland made the most of their chances in the first, but USA fought, came from behind and equalized in the third. Although the Wolves held control in the fourth, they could not find the go-ahead as the contest was decided in a shootout. Unfortunately, USA fell 1-3.

Although USA had control in their attacking end for the opening minutes of the contest, it was Poland who got on the board first and registered more circle entries and penalty corner chances in the frame. Midway through Poland had their first look when a penalty corner attempt rung off the crossbar. A few minutes later, Poland earned another set piece but great USA penalty corner defense, which led to instant attack, kept them out. In the 13th minute, Poland tallied when Maksymilian Koperski struck just inside the circle following a USA error.

The script flipped in the second quarter, and it was USA who produced more offensive opportunities. Just seconds inside the start Marius Leser had a shot from the right baseline blocked by goalkeeper Mateusz Popiolkowski. Next, Christian DeAngelis’ forehand shot was deflected away. Halfway through Jack Heldens intercepted a pass at midfield, ran forward and saw his backhand shot go wide. In the 27th minute, an individual fight from Michael Mendoza awarded the Wolves their first penalty corner. Unsuccessful on the chance, USA kept on the front foot and earned two more set pieces inside the final 40 seconds. The first saw a drag by Seyaki Charasika saved off the line by the post player and the second attempt was well defended.

The third period was exciting, with three total goals tallied, and saw USA level the match. Poland doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Gracjan Jarzynski converted a penalty stroke. USA kept fighting and cut the lead in the 39th minute after Charasika was taken to the turf inside the circle fighting for the ball to earn the Wolves a penalty stroke. Aki Kaeppeler stepped up and scored to make it 1-2. Two minutes later Mehtab Grewal found the equalizer after a great feed from Pat Harris.

As they have done through every quarter, USA continued to build offensively. Although the Wolves held control and dominated much of the final frame, they couldn’t find the go-ahead as the match went into a shootout. In the one-on-ones it was 1-1 after the first round, but Poland goalkeeper Popiolkowski played extremely well and the opposition converted on their chances as USA fell 1-3.

At the conclusion of the game, Maksymilian Koperski was named Player of the Match.

During the post-event awards ceremony, Seyaki Charasika was named the Best Junior Player of the Tournament.

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Next for the Wolves are training camps in March, April and May, all in preparation for the World Cup qualifier - the 2025 Pan American Cup taking place July 24 to August 3 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

For more information on the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, visit the event page.

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