USA Men’s Eagles Head Coach Scott Lawrence and staff have named the Match day squad to take on Portugal in the opening fixture of the inaugural Nations Cup competition.
The Eagles will run out in Denver’s Dick Sporting Goods Park in the red white and blue on the 4th of July donning a commemorative 250 year anniversary patch paying tribute to the history that has helped pave the way for our country and the USA Eagles. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM MT with fireworks promised post match. Fans can purchase tickets here with action available live on Paramount+.
Closing out just their ninth day together in camp in Colorado’s high altitude environment the USA Eagles are eager to get their 2026 campaign underway as they target a peak performance at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
This will be the Eagles first time hosting Portugal after sealing a 21-17 win in their 2024 encounter thanks to Kapeli Pifeleti’s match-winning try just two minutes before full time.
Named to start Pifeleti joins an Eagles pack featuring one USA debut in Chicago Hounds lock, Nathan Den Hoedt. In the backline, Ruben de Haas and Chris Hilsenbeck fill out the scrumhalf and flyhalf positions, bringing the MLR Championship halfback pairing to the international stage. Perry Mayo will run out for his first time in a USA jersey on the wing with Mason Pederson and Julian Roberts ready to make their impact from the bench.
Ready to get the campaign underway, Head Coach, Scott Lawrence commented:
“July is always a shotgun start for us as we bring the team together from across the world. The men have been diligent in their detail of the basics we are rapidly putting in place. The nation’s 250th is a special day and we are grateful to have the opportunity to represent our country’s rugby community on Saturday.”
With Portugal claiming the Rugby Europe Championship title earlier this spring, the recently assembled Eagles will be looking to halt the visitor’s momentum and kick off the Nations Cup proceedings with a bang.
The match against Portugal will kick off the first round of the USA’s Nations Cup campaign before they travel to North Carolina to take on Zimbabwe followed by Spain. Tickets for all matches are available here.
Fans can get closer to the action with USA Eagles Experiences at https://usaeagles-experiences.com or catch every minute of the action live on Paramount+.
| 1 | Jack Iscaro | Stade Francais |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Kapeli Pifeleti | Provence Rugby |
| 3 | Tonga Kofe | California Legion |
| 4 | Nathan Den Hoedt* | Chicago Hounds |
| 5 | Jason Damm (C) | California Legion |
| 6 | Benjamin Bonasso | Old Glory DC |
| 7 | Cory Daniel | Old Glory DC |
| 8 | Paddy Ryan | Seattle Seawolves |
| 9 | Ruben De Haas | California Legion |
| 10 | Chris Hilsenbeck | Chicago Hounds |
| 11 | Perry Mayo* | USON Nevers |
| 12 | Dominic Besag | St.Marys College |
| 13 | Tavite Lopeti | Chicago Hounds |
| 14 | Rufus McLean | Seattle Seawolves |
| 15 | Mitch Wilson | New England Free Jacks |
| 16 | Shilo Klein | Zebre Parma |
| 17 | Ezekiel Lindenmuth | Seattle Seawolves |
| 18 | Mason Pedersen* | Seattle Seawolves |
| 19 | Brandon Harvey | Chicago Hounds |
| 20 | Nafi Ma'afu | Union Sportive Montalbanaise |
| 21 | Ethan McVeigh | New England Free Jacks |
| 22 | Luke Carty | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 23 | Julian Roberts* | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
July 4th | USA vs Portugal
DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver, CO - 9:00pm ET
July 11th | USA vs Zimbabwe
American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC - 7:30pm ET
July 18th | USA vs Spain
First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC - 7:30pm ET
Scott Lawrence | Head Coach
Agustin Cavalieri | Assistant Coach - Forwards
Blake Bradford | Assistant Coach - Scrum
David Williams | Assistant Coach - Transition and Attack
Nathan Grey | Assistant Coach - Defense
Steve Brett | Assistant Coach - Attack and Kicking
Andy Friend | Technical Advisor
Davie Gray | Mindset Coach
Jimmy Harrison | Head of Analysis
Jim Molony | Head of Performance
Rodolfo Broggi | Strength and Conditioning Coach
Lauren DeLuca | Team Registered Dietician
Michael Buonopane | Head Athletic Trainer
Michael Sheridan | Athletic Trainer
Willie Berlanga | Massage Therapist
Dr. Matthew Schmitz | Team Doctor
Dr. Corey Wells | Team Doctor
Alana Gattinger | Head of High Performance Operations
Nick Colling | Team Manager
