The USA Eagles defeated Romania 26-18 in a rainy Bucharest for the final match of their 2025 season securing the Pershing Cup.
In a match testing both sides' discipline, the Eagles capitalized early with Luke Carty slotting the first of what would be four successful penalty kicks from the tee.
The Eagles' early edge over the home team despite slippery conditions put both defensive lines under pressure and allowed the USA to bank critical points that would seal their win.
Head Coach, Scott Lawrence commented;
“We’re happy to finish the year with a win. Tonight’s performance and result is a good bookend to an otherwise challenging and disappointing year. Our bench came in and played a key role in the second half tonight, that is a positive marker we can take forward into 2026.
"Ultimately, this Autumn tour has shed light on the key areas we need to develop as we get one year closer to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”
With USA eager to finish the season on a high, they capitalized on the home team's pressure giving away penalties that rewarded the Eagles with their first 6 points. Romania looked to see some come back with 3 points of their own off the tee and a US shoulder charge making indirect contact showing Luke Carty a yellow and giving the Oaks the advantage with the 1-man overlap. Not unsettled, the USA find good forward ball and Paddy Ryan barrels across the line with Ruben de Haas nailing the conversion. The hosts then level the playing field with a yellow of their own from multiple offsides penalties. Not without following the Eagles lead though, Romania follow suit finding outside space and set down for a try of their own
With Carty back on and Romanians blurring lines, the USA takes another shot off the tee that rebounds off the posts but the Eagles quick reaction retains possession forcing a further offsides from Romania and a successful shot at goal before the half time whistle.
Romania kick off to restart the second half with forward momentum but the USA defensive line scrapes by to hold them off at the expense of an offside penalty where Romania take advantage of the opportunity to score points off the tee bring the scoreline within 5 points.
A Romanian line out 5 meters off the line puts pressure on the USA defense who get penalised for offsides and this time shown a yellow card. A driving maul almost pushes the Romanians over the line but the Eagles turn over to regain possession and manage to get the ball out of their 22. De Hass sees space outside, shifting to Carty who distributes wide to Rufus McClean, dodging contact and dives across the line. Carty Converts from wide.
With the referee keeping tabs on the line, another warning to Romania awards a penalty in front of the posts for the USA and Carty slots the extra points. In the final minutes of match play, Romania opted to scrum and come within touching distance of the line putting the USA again under defensive pressure and showing the USA a further yellow card. The home team wheel the scrum across the line sealing one more try before the final whistle, yet not enough to disrupt the Eagles strong lead from the start.
USA Eagles take back the Pershing Cup to home soil honoring General John J. Pershing, who organized the first rugby match between the two sides in 1919.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth | Unattached |
| 2. Kaleb Geiger | New England Free Jacks |
| 3. Tonga Kofe | Leicester Tigers |
| 4. Tevita Naqali | Old Glory DC |
| 5. Marno Redelinghuys | Unattached |
| 6. Paddy Ryan | Unattached |
| 7. Cory Daniel | Old Glory DC |
| 8. Jason Damm (C) | CA Legion |
| 9. Ruben de Haas | Unattached |
| 10. Luke Carty | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 11. Rufus McLean | Unattached |
| 12. Tavite Lopeti | Chicago Hounds |
| 13. Dominic Besag | Saint Mary's College |
| 14. Mark O'Keefe | Chicago Hounds |
| 15. Toby Fricker | Bristol Bears |
| 16. Mikey Sosene-Feagai | CA Legion |
| 17. Payton Telea-Ilalio | Unattached |
| 18. Maliu Niuafe | CA Legion |
| 19. Nafi Ma'afu | Montauban (FRA) |
| 20. Viliami Helu | Unattached |
| 21. Makeen Alikhan | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 22. Mitch Wilson | New England Free Jacks |
| 23. Michael Baska | Chicago Hounds |
Scott Lawrence | Head Coach + GM
Nick Easter | Assistant Coach - Defense
Steve Brett | Assistant Coach - Attack & Skills
Agustin Cavalieri | Assistant Coach - Forwards
Blake Bradford | Assistant Coach - Scrum
Jimmy Harrison | Analyst
Declan Oorloff | Analyst
Rodolfo Broggi | Athletic Performance Coach
Matoko Noudehou | Strength and Conditioning
Michael Sheridan | Lead Athletic Trainer
Delaney Cassidy | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Willie Berlanga | Massage Therapist
Matthew Schmitz | Team Doctor (Scotland & Georgia)
Marc Kowalsky | Team Doctor (Romania)
Nick Colling | Team Manager
Scotland vs USA | (L) 85-0
Scottish Gas Murrayfield | Edinburgh, SCO
Georgia vs USA | (L) 43-30
Adjarabet Arena | Batumi, GEO
Romania vs USA | (W) 18-26 TRIES: Ryan, McLean CONV: de Haas, Carty PEN: Carty (x4)
Arcul du Triumf | Bucharest, ROU
