FIH Junior World Ranking: 5

How they qualified: 1st Place – Junior Pan American Championship 2023

Junior World Cup history: 2022 – 8th, 2016 – 8th, 2013 – 7th, 2009 – 8th, 2005 – 7th, 2001 – 14th, 1997 – 12th, 1989 – 10th

2023 has already been a wonderfully successful year for USA’s Junior Eagles, who became continental champions for only the second time in their history at April’s Junior Pan American Championship 2023, played in Barbados. They bounced back from an opening match loss against Argentina (2-0) with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Uruguay before overcoming Chile in their semi-final, winning a shoot-out 2-0 after the match finished level at 1-1. Their tournament ended where it began, against Argentina, only this time the outcome was very different. Reagan Underwood put USA in front shortly after half time, with Valentina Raposo’s leveller for Argentina forcing the match to a shoot-out in which the Americans would emerge 4-1 winners, with Underwood scoring the title-clinching goal. All eighteen players who competed in Barbados have been selected for Santiago 2023, including player of the tournament and star forward Abigail Tamer, who will captain the team. Another athlete to watch is striker Hope Rose, who was named player of the tournament at the 2021 Junior Pan American Championship, which also took place in Santiago.