U19 Named to Face Canada

USA U19 Head Coach JD Stephenson has named his squad to face the Canada U19s Friday at 1pm at Chula Vista, Calif.

The roster is an extended group of 26, as both teams have agreed to enlarge their benches for this game, thus getting more game time for players in this two-game series.

Several players who have impressed in Eagle Impact Rugby Academy and HS All American action this past year are on the list, with several getting special notice from Goff Rugby Report. One player to watch that you might have have heard much about would be Tavite Lopeti (see more on him and his team here), a shifty, exciting outside back from Peninsula Green who has the potential to open up defenses. He will partner with the impressive Sean Lumkong in the midfield.

Several players on the roster are listed with their current college or club team, but have their previous high school or youth programs to thank for getting them here. among them, Dillon Shotwell (Kingwood HS, Texas), Karem Odeh (Brunswick HS, Ohio), Justin Johnson (Mira Costa, California), Lia Monis (Rainier Highlanders, Washington), Jack Miller (Brookline HS), Anton Grigoriou (San Clemente/Back Bay, California), Naima Fualaau (Hayward, California), and Campbell Robinson (Phoenix, Georgia).

Of note also, Sam Walsh played his high school rugby in Wellington, NZ, but was born in the USA and came back to the United States to participate in an Atavus camp and position himself to be in the USA mix. He has been working his way through the process and, according to observers, and heavily committed to representing the USA.