Last week, both water polo teams of the United States of America won gold medals at the Pan American Games in Santiago, securing their spots in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
The men’s team also qualified for the World Championships in Doha, along with the runner-up Brazil.
The US women’s team secured their place in the World Championships by winning the gold medal at the World Cup in June. Canada (silver) and Brazil (bronze) earned spots in the women’s water polo tournament in Doha through their performance in Santiago.
Both Teams USA dominated their opponents throughout the tournament and emerged victorious with a series of convincing wins.
2023 Pan American Games, Santiago (Chile), men’s water polo tournament
Team USA recorded three convincing wins in the group stage – over Mexico (30:2), Puerto Rico (28:9), and Brazil (24:7). Host Chile didn’t pose a significant danger for the Americans in the quarterfinals. USA water polo players beat the home team by 26 goals (28:2). They cruised to a 22:7 victory over Argentina in the semifinals.
The final match was a replay of the game in the third round of the group stage, USA – Brazil. The Brazilians, who narrowly defeated Canada in the semis (13:12) offered a little bit stronger resistance to the USA than in the group. Only a goal separated the rivals at the first break (the USA led 2:1). However, at halftime, it stood 8:3. The team, guided by Dejan Udovicic, doubled the distance in the next two periods – 17:7 (2:1, 6:2, 5:2, 4:2).
Argentina was better than Canada in the 3rd-place game (12:10).
The youngest player of Team USA, Ryderr Dodd (he will turn 18 in January) was the best scorer of the tournament with 28 goals.
GROUP PHASE
Group A
Day 1: USA – Mexico 30:2, Brazil – Puerto Rico 18:5
Day 2: USA – Puerto Rico 28:9, Brazil – Mexico 21:10.
Day 3: USA – Brazil 24:7 , Puerto Rico – Mexico 15:12.
Standings: USA 9, Brazil 6, Puerto Rico 3, Mexico 0.
Group B
Day 1: Argentina – Cuba 20: 4, Canada – Chile 28:4.
Day 2: Canada – Cuba 29:7, Argentina – Chile 16:3.
Day 3: Canada – Argentina 14:7, Cuba – Chile 13:9.
Standings: Canada 9, Argentina 6, Cuba 3, Chile 0.
KNOCKOUT MATCHES
Quarterfinals: Brazil – Cuba 16:6, Argentina – Puerto Rico 20:9, USA – Chile 28:2, Canada – Mexico 20:5.
Classification 5-8 semifinals: Mexico – Cuba 16:11, Puerto Rico – Chile 16:6
Semifinals: Brazil – Canada 13:12, USA – Argentina 22:7
7th-place game: Cuba – Chile 12:11 (PSO)
5th-place game: Mexico – Puerto Rico 9:13
Bronze-medal match: Argentina – Canada 12:10
FINAL: USA – Brazil 17:7
2023 Pan American Games, Santiago (Chile), women’s water polo tournament
The Americans, the reigning Olympic champions, were more dominant than the male Team USA in the tournament in Santiago.
The team coached by Adam Krikorian scored 89 and conceded only three goals in three matches in the group stage. It kept a clean sheet in the first two games and beat Brazil 25:3 in the match that decided the group winner.
That was followed by two convincing wins in the quarterfinals (against Mexico 32:1) and semifinals (against Argentina 27:1).
Ashleigh Johnson of the United States (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/Orange Pictures)
Two North American teams faced in the final, the USA and Canada. The Americans recorded another convincing victory – 20:11 (5:3, 5:4, 6:2, 4:2). However, Canada put up a good fight in the first half. It even led 2:1. The Canadians trailed by one goal at 4:3 before the USA added another goal before the end of the first period. Despite Canada’s efforts, the USA was relentless and went up 10:6 before the third quarter. After that, the Americans extended the margin to nine.
Brazil edged out Argentina in the bronze medal match (10:9).
Jenna Flynn (USA) was the top scorer of the tournament in Santiago with 28 goals.
GROUP PHASE
Group A
Day 1: Cuba – Mexico 14:11, Canada – Argentina 14:9
Day 2: Canada – Cuba 24: 3, Argentina – Mexico 8:6.
Day 3: Canada – Mexico 32:7, Argentina – Cuba 18:17 (PSO).
Standings: Canada 9, Argentina 5, Cuba 4, Mexico 0.
Group B
Day 1: USA – Chile 35:0, Brazil – Puerto Rico 19:7
Day 2:Day 2: USA – Puerto Rico 29:0, Brazil – Chile 31:2
Day 3: USA – Brazil 25:3, Puerto Rico – Chile 14:12.
Standings: USA 9, Brazil 6, Puerto Rico 3, Chile 0.
Quarterfinals: Argentina – Puerto Rico 13:11, Brazil – Cuba 12:10, Canada – Chile 33: 2, USA – Mexico 32:1.
Classification 5-8 semifinals: Mexico – Puerto Rico 10:9, Cuba – Chile 15:13
Semifinals: USA – Argentina 27:1, Canada – Brazil 21:4.
FINAL: USA – Canada 20:11
Bronze-medal match:Brazil -Argentina 10:9.
Fifth-place match:Mexico – Cuba 15:11.
Seventh-place game: Puerto Rico – Chile 18:13
Final standings: 1. USA, 2. Canada, 3. Brazil, 4. Argentina, 5. Mexico, 6. Cuba, 7. Puerto Rico, 8. Chile.
