The USA Loses in 2020 Canada Sevens Cup Quarterfinals

The HSBC Canada Sevens is being held on March 7-8, 2020 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The USA Men’s Sevens finished fifth in Los Angeles after losing their Cup Quarterfinal to South Africa and claimed 13 points towards their Series standing. They are now ranked seventh overall with three stops until the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The USA is in Pool D and will face the same opponents as they did in Los Angeles in Samoa, Scotland, and Australia. The original Series format will return for Vancouver with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the Cup Quarterfinals and the bottom two being placed in the consolation rounds.

The USA opened pool play with a 19-5 win over Samoa and defeated Scotland 28-12 and concluded pool play losing 29-7 to Australia to finish second in Pool D. The USA met South Africa in the Cup Quarterfinals, losing 26-10.

The USA will play in the 5th place semifinal at 5:30 pm ET.

The USA vs South Africa Recap

The opening kick went off South African hands with Carlin Isles gathering and launching the USA attack. Martin Iosefo drew in defenders and offloaded to Madison Hughes to Steve Tomasin to Carlin Isles for a try in the right corner, 5-0.

A poach by Martin Iosefo had the USA going through phases and a Naima Fuala’au kick pass bounced into Danny Barrett’s hands for a try, 10-0.

A turnover led to Werner Kok stepping Maceo Brown for a try under the posts. Branco Du Preez added the extras to cut the lead to 10-7. The USA had an injury on the play to Fuala’au and defended with six players.

The Blitzboks scored a quick try by Cecil Afrika, which was converted by Du Preez to take a 14-10 lead.

Second Half

Angelo Davids took the ball at full burst on the right wide channel and Perry Baker raced to hold the ball up in the right corner. From the ensuing scrum, the ball went wide left and Angelo Davids scored in the left corner with Du Preez converting 21-10. Angelo Davids then added another, 26-10.

South Africa will play the winner between New Zealand and Fiji in the Cup semifinals. The USA will play in the 5th Place semifinal at 5:30 pm ET.

USA: 1. Carlin Isles (Wing, 56) 2. Malon Al-Jiboori (Prop/Hooker, 9) 3. Danny Barrett (Prop, 53) 4. Maceo Brown (Center,13) 5. Cody Melphy (Halfback, 5) 6. Kevon Williams (Halfback/Wing, 26) 7. Naima Fuala’au (Halfback, 7) 8. Maka Unufe (Center, 42) 9. Stephen Tomasin (Hooker, 36) 10. Madison Hughes (C) Halfback, 51) 11. Perry Baker (Wing, 46) 12. Martin Iosefo (Center, 45) 13. Ben Broselle (Center, 6)

STAFF

Head Coach Mike Friday
Assistant Coach Anthony Roques
Strength & Conditioning John Hood
Performance Analyst Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer Brian Green
Team Manager Scott Novack