Coaching staff have confirmed the traveling roster for the USA Men's Under 19s team, set to compete in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Men's U19 XVs Tournament in Querétaro, Mexico, from July 9-12, 2025.
The tournament, hosted by Federación Méxicana de Rugby at FC TOTAL, will feature six participating countries in a round-robin format on Wednesday, July 9, and Thursday, July 10, to determine seeding for the finals on Saturday, July 12. As the reigning #1 ranked team heading into the competition, based on last year's performance, the USA U19s are poised for a strong showing against top talent from teams from Bermuda, Trinidad & Tobago, México, Cayman Islands and Jamaica.
The RAN Men's U19 XVs Tournament is a vital stepping stone for athlete pathways, offering them exposure to high-level international play and preparing them for future opportunities within the USA Rugby national team framework.
Head coach, Todd Thornley commented on the team’s prep and objectives for the young squad;
“The overarching goal for this Tour is to establish clear standards of what it means to become an Eagle—both on and off the field. Many of these athletes are on the pathway to the U20s cycle for 2026, so this is an important foundation-setting opportunity. Players will be challenged to demonstrate strong on-field performances, as well as uphold team values, adapt to challenges, and grow as a cohesive unit preparing for the next level.
“We are ready to expect the unexpected, which is exactly what we want from a development perspective. These teams will test all aspects of our game and push our players outside their comfort zones. It's a unique opportunity to learn under pressure. With a condensed schedule and multiple games in a short window, the challenge will be maintaining high-performance levels throughout. It’s the kind of test that accelerates growth, and we’re looking forward to seeing how the players respond.
“We have already begun to build cohesion in the squad and align on our goals and culture before arriving in Mexico. The level of commitment and engagement from players has been outstanding, which bodes well for our environment on Tour. One of the biggest challenges will be integrating different playing styles and personalities quickly, but that’s also one of the most exciting aspects—watching a diverse group come together and grow as a team.”
The official match schedule will be published by Rugby Americas North within the coming weeks. Further updates can be found at USA Rugby social channels and Rugby Americas North website.
| Name | School / Club |
|---|---|
| Siale Ofa | Saint Mary's College |
| Philip Bottomley | Life University |
| Tyler Trower | Hartpury College (UK) |
| Colin Donnelly | Saint Mary's College |
| Sawyer Troupe | Central Washington University |
| Kellan LaFave | Central Washington University |
| Mehdi Merah | St. Bonaventure |
| Eli Smith | Greer 76ers / Life University |
| Aidan Stewart | Central Washington University |
| Lyndon Bailey | WWU |
| Quinlan Miller | Charlotte Cardinals |
| Jupiter Gillam | Bend Blues / Queens U. Charlotte |
| Jayden Williams | Ohio State |
| Max Goethals | Davenport University |
| Emir Yuksel | Indiana University |
| Papa Matelau | Utah Academy |
| Owen Welburn | University of Indiana Men |
| Mark French | St. Ignatius / Ohio State |
| Brayden Evors | Cardiff Met |
| Declan Cadden | Blackrock College (IRE) |
| Jameson Beatty | Charlotte Tigers / Life University |
| Marco Lapierre | Brown |
| Leo Venables | Life University |
| Raylon Murry | Loyola Detroit |
| Mosese Luveitasau | Southern Virginia |
| William Darbishire | University of Nottingham |
| Jake Schumacher | University of Arizona |
| Bryce Engelbrecht | Life University |
Head Coach | Todd Thornley
Assistant Coach | Colton Cariaga
Assistant Coach | Zach Mizell
Athletic Trainer | Janie Kluempers
Performance Analyst | Seth Heldman
Team Manager | Jody Hensley
