USAWin 5th Place Final Over Ireland at LA Sevens

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

All matches were broadcast LIVE and On-Demand on NBC Sports Gold. NBCSN also provided 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 met Ireland in the 5th place final, winning 24-19.

USA vs Ireland 5th Place Final Recap

The USA claimed the opening restart and an offload from Madison Hughes to Martin Iosefo ended in a try with Hughes adding the extras.

A turnover and an offload from Iosefo to Tomasin to Naima Fuala’au pushed the lead to 12-0 as Hughes conversion was wide.

After Madison Hughes initiated a wrap-around, an offload to Carlin Isles was all that was needed for a lengthy try. Hughes added the conversion to push the lead to 19-0.

Ireland’s Jordan Conway received an offload and streamed down the right wide channel to cut the lead to 19-5 at the break.

Second Half

The USA opened the second half with Carlin Isles drawing in defenders and offloading to Danny Barrett, who motored to Ireland’s 22-meters before stepping into touch.

Ireland attacked from the lineout and after a penalty elected a scrum. The ball went wide right with Jordan Conway adding a brace to cut the lead to 19-12 after a successful conversion. Ireland’s Harry McNulty added another with Mark Roche adding the extras to level the match at 19 all.

The USA answered back with an offload by Steve Tomasin to Danny Barret for a try to lead 24-19, as Hughes’ conversion attempt was missed.

The restart saw Maka Unufe tapping to Kevon Williams and the team moved the ball right with an offload by Williams to Baker knocked forward.

The USA defended an Irish attack and claimed a 24-19 win for 5th place.

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