With the loss, the USA will need a win or tie in Wednesday’s match against Pool favorite Canada to keep alive any medal hopes.

“It’s extremely disappointing. It’s over now and we have to put it behind us and focus on the next game against Canada,” said USA coach Nick Conway. “Obviously it’s made it a lot more difficult for us but not impossible we just have to get the group back in shape as soon as possible and focus on getting points out of the next two games.

The USA jumped on top nine minutes into the game when Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.) placed a lethal drag flick into the cage on the USA’s only other penalty corner of the game to give the team a 1-0 lead. The USA did not allow a penalty corner attempt by Chile.

Chile quickly answered back in the physical match and tied the game at 1-1 on Pablo Kuhlenthal’s field goal at the 18 minute mark.

The two teams battled evenly throughout the first half and sent the game into halftime knotted at 1-1.

But early in the second half, a missed tackle in front of the goal cost the USA a penalty stroke and Ian Koppenberger deposited the stroke past U.S. keeper Jason Wellings (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) to give Chile a lead it would not relinquish.

“It was one of those plays where our guy came in from behind and you either make the tackle or you miss it and it’s a penalty stroke,” said Conway. “The umpire made the right decision and their guy put it away.”

The USA had one final opportunity to even the score with a penalty corner as time expired in the second half. But the initial pass was mishandled and the USA was not able to get a shot off as the Chilean players erupted in celebration.

The USA now must look ahead to a showdown with rival Canada and a game with Netherlands Antilles to close out pool play on Friday.

“Chile has always been a tough game for us,” said U.S. captain Shawn Nakamura (Camarillo, Calif.) the game could have gone either way today, and unfortunately it fell on their side today. We’re looking forward to the next two games and getting back into position for the semifinals.”

Chile 2, USA 1
USA: Pat Harris (PC, 9:00)
CHI: Pablo Kuhenthal (FG, 18:00)
CHI: Ian Koppenberger (PS, 37:00)

USA Starters: Jon Ginolfi, Binh Hoang, Brian Schledorn, Pat Harris, Jarred Martin, Rinku Bhamber, Ian Scally, Pat Cota, Shawn Nakamura, Sean Harris, Jason Wellings (GK)
Reserves: Nick Harner, Nate Coolidge, Remco Couwenbergh, Jed Cunningham