USA Rugby Release & Photo
CHULA VISTA, CA. (June 23, 2021) – Head coach Mike Friday has named a full squad for Quest for Gold Sevens, taking place this Friday, June 25 to Saturday, June 26 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. As the final event ahead of the Olympics, the tournament will be the last opportunity for players to vie for selection to the Games.
Fans can watch LIVE and for FREE on facebook.com/lasevensrugby. Schedule and tickets for Saturday’s matches are available at questforgold.usa.rugby.
The roster features familiar faces USA fans know and love including Folau Niua and Perry Baker who have both worked diligently to rehab from injuries. Niua last played international rugby at the HSBC Paris Sevens in 2019.
Carson native Marcus Tupuola is also named to the squad and has a chance to play in his hometown for the first time since the Los Angeles Invitational in 2020.
Coach Friday will select match rosters game-by-game giving the full squad an opportunity to play in front of home fans. Following Quest for Gold, coaches will deliberate to make final selections for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The official Olympic team will be announced publicly on July 2.
Friday said:
“There is some real excitement for the boys to finally be back on home soil, playing for their country in front of everyone they love.
“Seizing these opportunities in front of a home crowd gives us the opportunity to put our best foot forward, as well as some needed perspective as we build into the Olympic challenge.
“The Dawgs are committed to succeeding in that quest, not only for ourselves as a squad but for the community we represent by wearing the jersey.
Matches on Friday will be played behind closed doors with a live stream available on the LA Sevens Rugby Facebook Page. Saturday will welcome fans at a limited capacity. The USA Women’s Sevens will also compete at Quest for Gold Sevens with players from their recently named Olympic roster. Tickets start at only $25 on questforgold.usa.rugby/tickets.
USA Men’s Sevens Roster
Player Name, Position, World Rugby Sevens Events
Perry Baker, Wing, 47
Danny Barrett, Prop/Hooker, 54
Pat Blair, Prop/Hooker, 14
Ben Broselle, Hooker/Wing, 7
Maceo Brown, Utility, 14
Gavan D’Amore, Forward, uncapped
Christian Dyer, Prop/Center, uncapped
Malacchi Esdale, Center/Wing, uncapped
Naima Fuala’au, Halfback/Flyhalf, 8
Madison Hughes, Halfback, 52
Martin Iosefo, Center/Prop, 46
Carlin Isles, Wing, 57
Matai Leuta, Forward, 40
Cody Melphy, Halfback/Flyhalf, 6
Folau Niua, Halfback/Flyhalf, 69
Ben Pinkelman, Forward, 37
Joe Schroeder, Forward, 12
Brett Thompson, Forward, 32
Stephen Tomasin, Utility, 37
Marcus Tupuola, Center/Wing, 8
Anthony Welmers, Prop, 5
Kevon Williams, Halfback/Wing, 27
USA Men’s Sevens Staff
Head Coach | Mike Friday
Assistant Coach | Phil Greening
Head of Physical Performance | John Hood
Performance Analyst | Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Mental Skills Coach | Clare Sadler
Team Manager | Scott Novack
