USA Beats France in 5th Place Semifinals at La Sevens

The HSBC Sevens Series LA Sevens is being held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA on February 29-March 1.

All matches are being broadcast LIVE and On-Demand on NBC Sports Gold. NBCSN will also provide comprehensive coverage from 8 PM ET to 12 AM ET on Saturday, with extended timings on Sunday at 11:30 AM ET to 8 PM ET.

The United States faced Australia, Scotland, and Samoa in Pool C.

They opened pool play with a 19-17 win over Samoa, beat Scotland 33-12 to advance to the Cup Quarterfinals along with Australia, who defeated Samoa 31-5. Group play ended with the USA losing to Australia 17-7 to finish second to Australia in the pool.

The USA faced South Africa in the Cup Quarterfinals with the Springbok Sevens coming back for a 12-10 win. The Eagles Sevens stormed back to beat France 24-5 in the 5th place semifinals and will meet Ireland in the 5th place final at 15:31 PT.

USA vs France 5th Place Semifinals Recap

The Eagles Sevens claimed the opening kick and after multiple phases a breakdown penalty allowed France to attack with Ethan Dumortier scoring near the right corner to lead 5-0.

The ensuing restart was not 10-meters and Carlin Isles thrilled the crowd with his stepping. A France penalty then led to a try by Naima Fuala’au with Madison Hughes slotting the extras to lead 7-5.

The USA claimed the restart and Maceo Brown found a gap and Tomasin appeared on his way for a try, but a forward pass gave France a scrum. The ball was quickly turned over. A Martin Isofeo behind the back pass to Maceo Brown and an offload to Danny Barrett was reviewed for a try. The TMO showed Barrett grounded and Madison Hughes pushed the conversion to left, 12-5.

Second Half

The opening restart was taken by the USA and after multiple phases, Carlin Isles scored in the left corner with Hughes slotting to lead 19-5. The USA added another try by Perry Baker to push the lead to 24-5. That was the final with the USA meeting Ireland next in the 5th place final at 15:31 PT.

USA Eagles 7s: 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 (Capt, 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