Spain hold on to win over USA in Charlotte

Storms in Charlotte delayed the USA v Spain kick off foreshadowing a turbulent performance that saw the Spanish side come away with a 20-31 win.

Spain struck quickly from the get-go, igniting an early streak of momentum off USA errors, lighting up the score board first with a quick try followed up with a subsequent two more, commanding a 21-0 lead early. Missed kick receipts and pressure from Spain forced a handful of possession errors in the USA's own territory where the visitors were able to capitalize.

Dominic Besag finally sparked energy for the USA with a break away from a set piece, ultimately leading to Benjamin Bonasso's try, the first for the USA had his second of the series. Just the momentum the Eagles needed to turn over Spanish possession and get the ball wide to Toby Fricker and Mitch Wilson who ran the ball down the line, eventually connecting with AJ MacGinty who brought the USA within seven points at half time at 21-14.

The USA narrowed the gap with two converted penalty kicks off MacGinty’s boot putting themselves within one point until Spain responded with three points of their own. The Eagles continue to put on the pressure, but a strong Spanish maul off a lineout secures the dagger try in the final minute of the match. 

USA Head Coach, Scott Lawrence commented, “The early 21 point lead was self-inflicted on our part. We were able to climb our way back into the game, but ultimately Spain were a bit more accurate than we were tonight."

The Men's Eagles have a +1 theme in camp this year, recognizing certain elements they feel can be a level better throughout the tour, when asked what the team +1 will be ahead of next week's clash with England, Lawrence added, "In a game like this where you don't perform well, we have to look at how we prepared for the match. So we'll look at our preparation for England a bit differently. Results on the night come down to how we prepare during the week, so we'll look at the way we prepared for this game and what lead us to ultimately not the performance we wanted."

Amidst the loss was two noteworthy moments as Tom Pittman and Christian Poidevin made their USA Eagles debut, Pittman with the start and Poidevin coming in off the bench in the second half. The two debuts tonight mark seven new Men's Eagles so far on this July tour.

The USA will play their final match of the USA Match Series next weekend against England in a Double header with the USA Women’s Eagles who take on Fiji. USA vs England will be live on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+

Scott Lawrence | Head Coach

Alama leremia | Backs And Attack Coach

Nick Easter | Forwards and Defense

Rodolfo Broggi | Lead Performance Coach

Jimmy Harrison | Head of Analysis

Matoko Noudehou | Performance Coach

Blake Bradford | Scrum Coach

Steve Brett | Skills Coach

Michael Sheridan | Athletic Trainer

Jenn Roney | Assistant Athletic Trainer

Willie Berlanga | Sports Massage Therapist

Joe Powers | Team Doctor

David Hadfield | Performance Expert 

Nick Colling | Team Manager

USA vs Belgium | 36-17

July 5 | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Charlotte, NC

Tries: Besag, Helu, Lopeti, Alikhan, Daniel, Bonasso

Conv: MacGinty (3)

USA vs Spain | 20-31

July 12 | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Charlotte, NC

Tries: Bonasso, MacGinty

Conv: MacGinty (2)

Pen: MacGinty (2)

USA vs England | July 19, 5:00pm ET

Audi Field | Washington DC