The USA men's national team defeated Mexico 6-1 to win a best-of-three series and earn the final spot in this summer's Pan American Games.
Deadlocked at 1-1 at halftime, the USA erupted for five second half goals to clinch the series with a 2-0-1 (7 points) record. The USA won the first game of the series 3-0 before earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw in game two to set up the decisive third game.
With the win, the USA joins Argentina, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad & Tobago and host Brazil at the Pan American Games, 15-25 July in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Pan American Games serve as the continental qualifier for the Olympic Games with the winner of the competition earning the continent's automatic berth in Beijing in 2008.
In addition to a spot in the Pan Am Games, the USA's victory in the series also keeps alive the team's 2008 Olympic qualifier hopes. Teams placing 2nd-5th in the men's Pan American Games tournament will earn spots in one of three six-team Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. The winners of each of the qualifying tournaments will advance to the Olympic Games.
With the series victory, the USA will keep alive a streak of appearing in every Pan Am Games (10 previous Games) since field hockey was added to the Pan Am program in 1967. The USA placed 5th at the last Pan Am tournament in 2003 and last won a medal (bronze) at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar de Plata, Argentina.
Teams qualified for the 2007 Pan American Games, 15-25 July in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazil: host country
- Argentina: winner of the 2006 ODESUR Games
- Chile: second at the 2006 ODESUR Games
- Cuba: winner of the 2006 Central American & Caribbean Games
- Trinidad & Tobago: second at the 2006 Central American & Caribbean Games
- Canada: highest ranked team at the 2004 Pan American Cup not otherwise qualified
- Netherlands Antilles: second highest ranked team at the 2004 Pan American Cup not otherwise qualified
- USA: winner of a three-match series against Mexico
Source: USA Field Hockey
