FULLERTON, CA. - With two down and only one left at home, the Men's Eagles will face Chile this Saturday at 2 PM PT in their final home match of the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) at Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton). Following back-to-back wins over Argentina XV (17-10) and rival Canada (29-10), USA will enter the matchup with several fresh faces and a newly named Captain to take on the physical battle against the Condors. Tickets for the match are on sale now — starting at only $30 — at usarugby.org/tickets with the match also broadcast LIVE on The Rugby Channel.
Men's Eagles General Manager Dave Hodges makes note of the evolving dynamic with players returning overseas, as well as how new faces have framed the Fullerton-bound squad.
"A few players have gone back to their professional setup,' said Hodges. "While that is a challenge we acknowledge and work through, the players who have come into the camp this week have helped energize the team and will add a positive impact to the group.'
With Blaine Scully back home with the Cardiff Blues, Nate Augspurger earns the Captaincy, headlining a team with a renewed energy to continue their defense of the ARC title. With Augspurger in as Captain, Josh Whippy earns his opportunity to suit up in Scully's stead on the wing.
To accompany a new Captain and wing, props Huluholo Moungaloa and James Hilterbrand step in for Titi Lamositele and Joe Taufete'e — respectively — while Ben Landry takes over as lock for Nick Civetta who heads home on bereavement leave.
Changes to the roster also bring an opportunity for several players to earn their first official caps, as Psalm Wooching makes his debut to replace Hanco Germishuys as flanker. Dylan Fawsitt, Brendan Daly, Malon Al-Jiboori and Ruben de Haas all also have a chance to be capped from their positions as reserves.
USA Men's Eagles Starters | USA vs Chile | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship
| Player | Club | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Huluholo Moungaloa | Life West Gladiators | Prop |
| 2. James Hilterbrand | Manly Marlins (AUS) | Hooker |
| 3. Dino Waldren | London Scottish | Prop |
| 4. Nate Brakeley | New York Athletic | Lock |
| 5. Ben Landry | Glendale Raptors | Lock |
| 6. Psalm Wooching | Seattle Saracens | Flanker |
| 7. Tony Lamborn | Hawkes Bay | Flanker |
| 8. Cam Dolan | San Diego Legion | Number Eight |
| 9. Nate Augspurger (C) | San Diego Legion | Scrum Half |
| 10. Will Magie | Glendale Raptors | Fly Half |
| 11. Ryan Matyas | San Diego Legion | Wing |
| 12. Bryce Campbell | Glendale Raptors | Center |
| 13. Dylan Audsley | San Diego Legion | Center |
| 14. Josh Whippy | Utah Warriors | Wing |
| 15. Mike Te'o | San Diego Legion | Fullback |
USA Men's Eagles Reserves | USA vs. Chile | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship
| Player | Club | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 16. Dylan Fawsitt | Old Blue of New York | Reserve |
| 17. Tony Purpura | San Diego Legion | Reserve |
| 18. Angus Maclellan | Utah Warriors | Reserve |
| 19. Brendan Daly | San Francisco Golden Gate | Reserve |
| 20. Malon Al-Jiboori | San Diego Legion | Reserve |
| 21. Ruben de Haas | Free State Cheetahs Academy (RSA) | Reserve |
| 22. Ben Cima | San Diego Legion | Reserve |
| 23. Paul Lasike | Utah Warriors | Reserve |
USA Men's Eagles Staff | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship
Gary Gold: Head Coach
Greg McWilliams: Assistant Coach - Backs & Attack
Scott Lawrence: Assistant Coach - Defense
Shawn Pittman: Assistant Coach - Set Piece
Chris Hanson: Team Manager
Dave Hodges: Men's Eagles General Manager
Jimmy Harrison: Analyst
Kevin Ng: Head ATC
Brian Finn: Assistant ATC (Jan. 24 - Feb. 17)
Dr. Deborah Light: Team Doctor (Feb. 11 - Feb. 17)
Dr. Jeff Mjaanes: Team Doctor (Feb. 18 - Mar. 4)
USA Men's Eagles | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship
vs Argentina XV - 17-10 (W)
vs Canada - 29-10 (W)
vs Chile
Sat, Feb. 17 | 5 PM ET
Titan Stadium, Fullerton, CA
vs Brazil
Sat, Feb. 24 | 3:40 PM ET
Martins Pereira Stadium, Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil
vs Uruguay
Sat, Mar. 3 | 1:40 PM ET
Estadio Charrua, Montevideo, Uruguay
"This next test match gives us an opportunity to improve our own performance,' said GM Hodges. "While we did get the win in each of our opening ARC matches against Canada and Argentina XV, the overall accuracy of the team needs to improve. That's a massive challenge for us going into the match against Chile.'
Last time the United States and Chile met in the Americas Rugby Championship, the Eagles were on the favorable sides of 64-0 (2016) and 57-9 (2017) victories. Knowing a win on Saturday will mark USA's third consecutive victory over the Condors, Chile will bring an intense physicality to the match.
Tickets to see the Men's Eagles take on Chile at 2 PM PT on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton) are on sale now — starting at only $30 — at usarugby.org/tickets. The match will also be broadcast LIVE to subscribers of The Rugby Channel, with updates available by following @USARugby on Twitter.
