Head Coach Gary Gold has selected his match day 23 for the final Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualifier match against Portugal. There are a few slight changes from last week, but this match boils down to a win-or-go-home scenario. The USA vs Portugal takes place on Friday, November 18 at 9:30 AM ET, LIVE on The Rugby Network.
Both teams are 2-0 with 10 points in the standings. Portugal has +113 points point differential to the USA’s +96, so a win or a draw has them advancing, while the USA will need to win.
In the first round, the USA beat Kenya 68-14, while Portugal also beat Hong Kong 42-14. In the second round, the USA beat Hong Kong 49-7 and Portugal beat Kenya 85-0 in the earlier round-two match.
There is one starter change as Bryce Campbell replaces Marcel Brache at the outside center. In the reserves, Jack Iscaro and Mikey Sosene-Fengai are at loosehead prop and hooker, respectively. Ben Bonasso, Tevita Lopeti, and Chris Matina could see their first action of the series, and Mattina could earn his first cap.
USA MEN’S EAGLES ROSTER: USA vs PORTUGAL
| FIRST NAME | CLUB | CAPS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. David Ainu’u | Toulouse (FRA) | 19 |
| 2. Kapeli Pifeleti | Saracens (ENG) | 9 |
| 3. Paul Mullen | Utah Warriors | 29 |
| 4. Greg Peterson | Newcastle Falcons (ENG) | 38 |
| 5. Cam Dolan | NOLA Gold | 62 |
| 6. Viliami Helu | Rugby ATL | 2 |
| 7. Cory Daniel | Old Glory DC | 2 |
| 8. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz | Old Glory DC | 8 |
| 9. Ruben De Haas | Saracens (ENG) | 27 |
| 10. AJ MacGinty (C) | Bristol Bears | 34 |
| 11. Nate Augspurger | San Diego Legion | 35 |
| 12. Paul Lasike | Utah Warriors | 21 |
| 13. Bryce Campbell | MLR | 43 |
| 14. Christian Dyer | Houston SaberCats | 10 |
| 15. Mitch Wilson | New England Free Jacks | 2 |
| 16. Mikey Sosene-Feagai | Agen (FRA) | 8 |
| 17. Jack Iscaro | Old Glory DC | 1 |
| 18. Nate Sylvia | San Diego Legion | 2 |
| 19. Benjamin Bonasso | Rugby New York | 4 |
| 20. Tesimoni Tonga’uiha | NOLA Gold | 5 |
| 21. Chris Mattina | MLR | Yet to debut |
| 22. Luke Carty | MLR | 10 |
| 23. Tavite Lopeti | Seattle Seawolves |
USA MEN’S EAGLES STAFF
- Head Coach Gary Gold
- Assistant Coach Mario Ledesma
- Assistant Coach Steve Brett
- Assistant Coach John Plumtree
- Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Huw Bevan
- Strength & Conditioning Coach Calvin Morris
- Analyst Jimmy Harrison
- Head Physiotherapist Kristen Douhan
- Physiotherapist Ron Klingensmith
- Sports Massage Therapist Daliah Hurwitz
- Team Doctor Marc Kowalsky
- Team Manager Oscar Alvarez
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