Seven new caps and six hotly contested matches put the United States in fifth-place at HSBC Canada Sevens - Vancouver. Following an undefeated run in group play, the USA fell to Kenya in a tight 14-19 affair where the small mistakes made the biggest difference. Bouncing back to defeat Hong Kong (10-24) and hosts-Canada (26-7) the Eagles Sevens put proof in performance to show fans the bright future of USA Sevens.
Next Tournament
The USA now travels to Edmonton for the final round of the 2021 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series taking place Sept 25-26, LIVE, on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock TV. Schedules and pools will be published on world.rugby/sevens-series early next week.
Head Coach Mike Friday said:
"Overall it’s been a valuable learning experience for all the debutants and I am pleased with the energy, attitude and effort. Our few critical mistakes in that quarter final are brutal lessons for the boys to learn and understand as they are just simple basics or split second decisions which make the difference in winning and losing momentum in games.
"The boys won 5 from 6 of the games this weekend and are hungry to learn and improve. We will need to ensure that consistency in possession, execution and defensive system urgency steps up this coming week while looking to improve the small technical details in our contact collision work.
"The boys represented well and can be proud of their weeks work and hungry to build on that to take further steps forward next weekend.'
USA vs Kenya | 14-19 (L)
Overall, the USA played well against Kenya, but it was the little mistakes that did them in. The back-and-forth affair kicked off with a dazzling try from Kevon Williams, after which Naima Fuala’au missed touch and Kenya returned the favor off a lineout. Collected and patient, the U.S. continued to work the ball down the field, eventually allowing Malacchi Esdale to score for the lead at halftime. Intensity mounted in the second half as the physicality of the Kenyans came alive and the USA struggled to get back on the front foot. A turnover at the breakdown and a missed tackle on the wing gave Kenya their final score and, despite having the final possession at full time, the Eagles Sevens turned it over and Kenya kicked it out.
TRIES | Kevon Williams, Malacchi Esdale
CONS | Naima Fuala’au, Christian Dyer
USA vs Hong Kong 10-24 (W)
The USA were well in control of their match against Hong Kong despite a few moments where execution became imperative to keep the scoreline from running away. Malacchi Esdale opened with an easy try around the wing, after which Gavan D’Amore burst through tackles for a brilliant run. Intensity was on through every minute, especially when penalties against the U.S. continued to give Hong Kong its attacking opportunities. The opposition scored two towards the end of the second half, nearly hinting at a rapid comeback until Kevon Williams swooped in a full time to get a try on the final play.
TRIES | Malacchi Esdale (2), Gavan D’Amore, Kevon Williams
CONS | Naima Fuala’au (2)
USA vs Canada | 26-7 (W)
The United States and Canada delivered a fiercely contested 5th Place Final, especially in the first half. Three minutes of back and forth finally resulted in a breakaway for David Still, which was followed by a number of infringements at the breakdown that gave Canada an advantage. The Eagles Sevens fought hard at every possession as both teams played a physical and passionate game. Battle hardened and determined, the USA worked in tandem to move the ball in the second half — patient the breakdown to control the flow the game — as Matai Leuta scored twice and Joe Schroeder brought in the final try.
TRIES | David Still, Matai Leuta (2), Joe Schroeder
CONS | Naima Fuala’au (2), Jerome Nale
USA Men’s Sevens Full Squad
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | HSBC TOURNAMENTS TO DATE |
| Adam Channel* | Center/Forward | Uncapped |
| Gavan D'Amore* | Forward | Uncapped |
| Christian Dyer* | Forward/Center | Uncapped |
| Malacchi Esdale* | Wing | Uncapped |
| Naima Fuala'au | Halfback/Flyhalf | 8 |
| Martin Iosefo | Center/Prop | 46 |
| Matai Leuta | Forward | 40 |
| Cody Melphy | Halfback | 6 |
| Jerome Nale* | Halfback | Uncapped |
| Joe Schroeder | Forward | 12 |
| David Still* | Wing | Uncapped |
| Jack Wendling* | Forward | Uncapped |
| Kevon Williams | Halfback/Wing | 27 |
USA Men’s Sevens Traveling Staff
Head Coach | Mike Friday
Strength & Conditioning | Jon Hood
Performance Analyst | Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer | Danielle Mah
