The Eagles fell behind early as Canada tried to push the pace of the game and work it wide. 

The USA defense held, thanks in part to a huge hit from Cam Dolan, but Canada did get a penalty and a 3p-0 lead.

That lead held up through a miss from AJ MacGinty and then was extended to 6-0 after flyhalf Nathan Hirayama snapped over a drop goal. But after that the Eagles started to get something going. Thretton Palamo made inroads and Blaine Scully looked over for the try. But the ref couldn’t see grounding and with no TMO, there was no review. Still, the Eagles for a five-meter scrum, and after Danny Barrett took the ball up, lock Greg Peterson powered over for the first USA try.

MacGinty’s conversion was good and the USA led 7-6.

Canada continued to get into penalty trouble as they tried to hold off the USA offensive. Nanyak Dala got ten minutes in the sin-bin after repeated Canada infringements, and MacGinty slotted a penalty to make it 10-6.

Just before halftime, the USA extended their lead to 17-6, as fullback Chris Wyles sent through a kick that Mike Petri was able to gather. The scrumhalf offloaded to flanker Andrew Durutalo, who notched his fourth try of the year. MacGinty’s kick made it 17-6.

The second half was tough, though, as Canada came out with renewed vigor and a realization that they were in danger of losing to the USA at home twice in row. John Moonlight’s big run got them into USA territory and wing Taylor Paris finished the movement off to make it 17-11. MacGinty kicked another penalty but then Nick Belvins was in support of a Phil Mack break and suddenly it was 20-16 with 20 minutes to go.

The Eagles had a prime scoring chance after that but Canada’s defense held on. But once more the Canadians committed penalties, and their ball-killing efforts saw the inspiration Mack off for ten minutes. Once again, the Americans punished them. Chris Wyles started a counter and MacGinty got in on the act before Andrew Suniula thundered through for a key try. MacGinty’s kick was, of course, good, and a precarious four-point lead was now 11 at 27-16.

The Eagles weren’t done, as Petri sold a dummy and went over. That made it 34-16. Canada replied with a try from the indefatigable Aaron Carpenter, only to see Cameron Dolan cap it off 41-23 with an interception.

With two teams that in 80 minutes three weeks ago scored just one try, the final 11 minutes or so produced four tries, three for the USA. In a worrying situation up 20-16, the USA team didn’t back off into a shell, but put the game away in style.

This was the first time the USA had defeated Canada twice in the same year since 2003. Interestingly, that year both games were away from USA soil, although one was on neutral ground in Argentina. This is the first time ever that the USA has beaten Canada twice in a row in Canada, and in fact the Eagles are now only 6-24 against Canada in Canada, but 2-0 in 2015. 

In addition, the final score constituted a record score against Canada of 41 points, breaking the 38 points scored in last year's 38-35 win, which in tern broke the record from the USA's 35-20 victory in 2003 in Buenos Aires. The winning margin of 18 is also a record, beating that 2003 Buenos Aires game.

The number of USA tries, five, ties a record set in 2004 in a 29-32 loss. AJ MacGinty’s five conversions is a USA record against Canada. 

USA 41

Tries: Peterson, Durutalo, A. Suniula, Petri, Dolan

Convs: MacGinty 5

Pens: MacGinty 2

Canada 23

Tries: Paris, Blevins, Carpenter

Convs: Hirayama

Pens: McRorie

DGs: Hirayama