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Canada, Mexico and the United States all picked up crucial wins in the hunt for qualification for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship on the second day of action in Kingston, Jamaica at the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Canada outclassed its rivals the Haudenosaunee in a 12-goal win to improve to 2-0 and take a firm grip on the top of Pool B. Another win will guarantee Canada a top-two finish in the pool and qualification to the men’s championship, and Canada can advance to the gold medal game on Sunday with wins against the U.S. Virgin Islands and Argentina.
The United States opened its campaign in style with an impressive 23-5 win over Puerto Rico, the tenth-ranked team in the world. The United States is tied atop the four-team Pool A with Jamaica, and faces the host on Wednesday with the winner securing qualification to the men’s championship.
Mexico rebounded from its opening-day defeat to take care of a must-win game against the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mexico improved to 1-1 and sits in third place in Pool B with games remaining against the Haudenosaunee and Argentina. Two wins would likely qualify Mexico, but one win would be enough for third place in the pool and a spot in the fifth place game on Saturday, a direct battle for qualification for the men’s championship.
The third day of action in Kingston on Wednesday features the aforementioned United States vs. Jamaica matchup in the final game of the day. The Haudenosaunee and Mexico square off with the winner taking control of the second spot in Pool B, while the opener features a must-win contest between Argentina and the U.S. Virgin Islands for either team to keep its qualification hopes alive.
Mexico
19
U.S. Virgin Islands
7
Mexico pulled away late from a fierce challenge from the U.S. Virgin Islands, who led 5-3 early and were within two early in the third quarter.
Mexico took over in the second half, which it won by an 11-2 margin, and put together a perfect 6-0 fourth quarter to leave no doubt about the result.
Ricky Tinoco was crucial in Mexico’s ball control with a 23 of 29 line on face-offs, and Weston Guerra made six saves in the second half at a 75% clip.
In attack, Ezekiel Peraza handled a high-volume shooting afternoon with five goals, and Langston Goodwin added four goals on eight shots.
Anthony Bardonille recorded a hat trick for the U.S. Virgin Islands in defeat.
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United States
23
Puerto Rico
5
The United States seized its first chance to show what its cast in Kingston could do, and outshot Puerto Rico 60-23 keyed behind 26 wins on 32 face-offs from Andrew McMeekin and Luke Weirman.
Puerto Rico’s midfield and defense battled hard to slow the United States until the floodgates opened in a 9-0 fourth quarter. After Jourdain Algarin exited the game early for Puerto Rico with an injury, his brother Jaden Algarin turned in a memorable performance in goal, making a whopping 16 saves on 34 shots faced.
Six different players recorded a hat trick for the United States, which was spearheaded by Eric Law with five goals and two assists. Josh Yago recorded three goals and two assisst, while Jackson Eicher was the most efficient in front of goal on the day with four goals on five shots.
Chad Palumbo’s playmaking was also key with three assists to go with two goals.
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Canada
17
Haudenosaunee
5
Even with a cadre of new faces on both sides compared to their semifinal matchup at the 2023 WL Men’s Championship, Canada’s depth of star power was on full display against the Haudenosaunee in a commanding win.
Canada outshot the Haudenosaunee 44-16, and broke the game open with a 6-0 second quarter featuring a quarter-contained hat trick from Owen Hiltz.
Canada assisted on 10 of its 17 goals and eight different players landed on the scoresheet in a diverse attacking showing. Finn Thomson was the main offensive engine with four goals and two assists, while Alex Simmons provided three goals and two assists.
Jack Oldman helped Canada’s ball control with a 15 of 20 line at the X on the evening.
Jack VanValkenburgh had a strong second half in net for the Haudenosaunee with 10 saves on 13 shots faced.
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