Eagle Men Prepare For LA Sevens
Eagle Men Prepare For LA Sevens
The USA Men's National Sevens team has named its squad for the LA Sevens, to be held February 29-March 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. in the Greater Los Angeles area.
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It's a good opportunity for the USA to build on a 4-1 showing in Sydney, Australia, where they finished 3rd. The Eagles have won the last two Sevens World Series tournaments on US soil. And remember, the LA Sevens will be a full tournament, with quarterfinals and consolation brackets, unlike the first four tournaments, which were abbreviated to allow for the men and women to play in he same venue.
Head Coach Mike Friday has made three changes to the squad for Los Angeles. Captain Madison Hughes is back after being removed from the Sydney squad as a precaution. Joe Schroeder will jump in for Matai Leuta with Cody Melphy in for Marcus Tupuola. Maceo Brown will serve as the No. 13 injury reserve.
In Sydney, Melphy returned to the senior circuit for the first time since 2017 and made an immediate impact with 11 runs, two clean breaks, and 29 points from five tries and two conversions. He was in the middle of several positive moments for the Eagles.
Meanwhile, Carlin Isles and Perry Baker are deadlocked at 199 World Series tries, so the next to score will be the first American to 200.
| USA Squad For LA | ||
| Player | Position | Tournaments |
| 1. Carlin Isles | Wing | 55 |
| 2. Ben Pinkelman | Prop/Hooker | 35 |
| 3. Danny Barrett | Prop | 52 |
| 4. Joe Schroeder | Prop | 11 |
| 5. Cody Melphy | Halfback | 4 |
| 6. Kevon Williams | Halfback/Wing | 25 |
| 7. Naima Fuala'au | Halfback | 6 |
| 8. Maka Unufe | Center | 41 |
| 9. Stephen Tomasin | Hooker | 35 |
| 10. Madison Hughes (C) | Halfback | 50 |
| 11. Perry Baker | Wing | 45 |
| 12. Martin Iosefo | Center | 44 |
| 13. Maceo Brown | Center | 12 |
STAFF
Head Coach | Mike Friday
Assistant Coach | Phil Greening
Assistant Coach | Anthony Roques
Strength & Conditioning | John Hood
Performance Analyst | Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer | Brian Green
Team Manager | Scott Novack
The United States are drawn in Pool C with Australia, Scotland and Samoa as the original Series format is restored for the next two rounds (LA and Vancouver).
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It's likely that that last pool game with Australia will be the pool decider.
All matches are broadcast LIVE and On-Demand on NBC Sports Gold. NBCSN will also provide comprehensive coverage running from 8 PM ET to 12 AM ET on Saturday, with extended timings on Sunday at 11:30 AM ET to 8 PM ET.
Buy Tickets for the LA Sevens Here (don't wait to walk up on the day of competition, they may well be sold our then)
Family Packages For LA 7s Now Available
“We are very much looking forward to playing in front of our home support and our families under a familiar tournament format welcomed by all 16 participating nations," said Friday. “Once again we will need the noise and passion from the stands to inspire us to represent and empty for the Stars and Stripes in a very challenging pool.
“We will need to be at our sharpest for the physical challenge of facing Samoa in the opener which stands as a repeat of last year's Cup Final. Samoa are a dangerous team, full of power and pace, who are renowned for excelling on American soil. Scotland have also been difficult opponents on every occasion we’ve played them this season. The smart Australian team will also play with guile and invention.
“The boys have worked hard these last few weeks and the competition and energy have been high building towards this event. Dignity Health Sports Park will provide a surface that will be wide, flat and fast which allows the Dawgs to play to their DNA.”
