CAPE TOWN, RSA. - It could be said that the USA Men's Sevens are on one big unlucky streak, opening with a hugely difficult pool at HSBC Cape Town Sevens and falling to a not so sharp Fijian side to start off.
The 14-28 loss in Pool A can be explained simply: Fiji took most of the opportunities in front of them while the United States did not.
Fiji were rusty, somewhat inconsistent and committing penalties and errors which led to two yellow cards in the game and many open windows for the Eagles Sevens to capitalize. The opposition were called for a string of high tackles, offsides and knock ons where, after a yellow card to Maka Unufe in the first minute, the U.S. side showed much more discipline.
Halftime saw the Fijians up 0-14, after which a try by Stephen Tomasin early in the second half very easily brought a glimmer of momentum back on the U.S. side.
That same momentum took a plummet, however, when a very strong attack carried the United States inside the Fijian 22 and, with Perry Baker wide open on the wing, a knock on by Maceo Brown gave Fiji back possession.
The Fijians scored from the ensuing scrum and added another try right after to hold a 7-28 advantage in the final minute.
On the last play, Perry Baker escaped three Fijian tackles on a determined stride, scoring the last points and freezing the score at 14-28.
The United States will now rest before two Pool A matchups tomorrow against Japan (6:29 AM ET) and home team South Africa (1:03 PM ET). Games are streamed LIVE on NBC Sports Gold.
TRIES | Stephan Tomasin, Perry Baker
CONS | Madison Hughes
STARTERS
3. Danny Barrett
10. Madison Hughes (C)
1. Carlin Isles
9. Stephen Tomasin
8. Maka Unufe
4. Matai Leuta
7. Naima Fuala'au
SUBSTITUTIONS
11. Perry Baker (7′)
6. Kevon Williams (6′)
5. Joe Schroeder (5′)
12. Maceo Brown (12′)
2. Ben Broselle (12′)
HSBC CAPE TOWN SEVENS SCHEDULE & RESULTS
vs Fiji | 14-28 (L)
vs Japan | Dec 14 - 6:29 AM ET
vs South Africa | Dec 14 - 1:03 PM ET
