U.S. In Big Hole After Losing To Canada

The U.S. finds itself in an 18 point hole heading into next week's penultimate World Cup qualifying showdown with Canada after losing 27-9 in Charleston, South Carolina. It was disaster straight from the start for the Americans as Phil Mack scored thirty seconds into the match. The U.S. then continued to hurt themselves with silly mistakes and defensive errors. Canada were not perfect on the night but the U.S. allowed them to play most of the match in U.S. territory and allowed their bigger threats to come up big. Credit to Canada for coming in with a strong game plan. They now look all but certain to walk away as the Americas 1 seed at the World Cup.

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As was mentioned, Canada took the lead only thirty second into the match thanks to Man of the Match Phil Match. Shortly after the kickoff DTH van der Merwe saved the ball from going into touch where it then found Mack's hands. Mack, realizing that no one was home for the U.S., chipped the ball over the top, recovered it, and then pounced in for the early try. Referee Leighton Hodges checked with the TMO to ensure everything was good and once the TMO came back with nothing Canada was on the board. James Pritchard then stepped up to hit the conversion and give Canada a 7-0 lead only seconds in.

The Eagles had an opportunity to respond a few minutes later when Canada was hit with being offside, but the long kick from Chris Wyles was no good. When it was Canada's turn to kick after the U.S. was penalized for coming in from the side a few minutes later Pritchard made no mistake and put Canada up 10-0. Wyles would then have another attempt after Jebb Sinclair was hit with a high tackle but that kick also went missing.

Canada looked to increase their lead even further a few minutes later. Utilizing a set play Matt Evans tore through the U.S. defense before eventually passing to Mack, who looked to have his second of the day. However, upon review with the TMO it was ruled that a Canadian player obstructed Scott LaValla from making a tackle and the try was called back.

Things would settle down a bit before halftime with Canada the more aggressive of the two sides. Throughout the first half they played almost exclusively in the U.S. end.  The U.S. had the slight majority of the possession in the first half but all of that was spent trying to clear the danger. The problem was that they weren't very successful at doing so. Time and again kicks gifted excellent field position to Canada. The Canadians would take advantage of that possession one more time before halftime after Shawn Pittman was ruled to have interfered with the scrumhalf at the back of a ruck. Pritchard hit his second penalty of the match to give Canada a 13-0 lead at halftime.

The second half would start out well for the U.S. as Chris Wyles finally got the Eagles on the board only two minutes into the half. Coming out aggressive the U.S. were rewarded when Canada was penalized in the scrum. Wyles stepped up to hit the kick and pull the U.S. within 10. The scrum was actually one of the few bright spots for the U.S. on the day. The new rules seemed to help the U.S. and put Canada on their heels. It's an area that the U.S. may be able to take advantage of next week.

Wyles's kick was all the U.S. would get for awhile as the breaks continued to go Canada's way. After another Petri box kick Eric Fry missed a tackle on van der Merwe, allowing him to race down to the 5 meter line. From there Canada simply executed a few pick and rolls before finding fly-half Harry Jones for the try. Pritchard nailed the easy conversion to put Canada up 20-6.

The U.S. would get three points back a little later thanks to another Wyles penalty but it was all Canada. van der Merwe got Canada's third try of the match off a great set piece. It was just a simple movement through the middle of the field that caught the U.S. backs napping. Mack was once again at the center of the action. Pritchard's conversion made it 27-6 to Canada.

With the game now firmly out of reach Eagles head coach Mike Tolkin went to his bench and made a flurry of substitutions. Phil Thiel, Folau Niua, Zach Fenoglio, Robbie Shaw, Cam Dolan, and Titi Lamositele all came on a provided energy for the Americans. For Niua and Lamositele it was their first caps for the U.S. and for Lamositele it sets a new age record for the youngest Eagle. Roland Suniula and Brian Doyle came on in the first half for the injured Seamus Kelly and Peter Dahl.

With the new substitutes on the field the Eagles finally had energy. Shaw and Niua in particular made an impact and did a good job pushing the U.S. forward. The best offensive movement of the game for the U.S. came late in the match as Niua made one of the same darting runs we are accustomed to seeing in 7's. Still, it was all for naught until Wyles stepped up to hit another penalty late in the match. Final score, Canada 27-9 U.S.A.

Overall it was an extremely disappointing match for the Americans. The U.S. was far too undisciplined and while Canada only hit two penalties from the U.S. errors it did gift Canada plenty of field possession and momentum. One of the most disappointing aspects of the match for the U.S. was the complete lack of offense. The U.S. forwards couldn't get the ball going forward and the U.S. weapons in the backs--Blaine Scully, Wyles, and Taku Ngwenya--hardly saw the ball. When a player like Ngwenya did see the ball it was deep down field on a kick. Playmaking was lacking just as it has all summer. There were a few bright spots. The scrum was decent and the substitutes that did come on in the second half were strong, but it wasn't enough.

All credit should go to Canada for this win. They came in with a very strong game plan and executed it to perfect. The early try put the U.S. on edge and Canada did a good job of taking advantage of it. All they wanted from the match was a cushion to take to Toronto and they got more than they could have asked for. Players like Mack, Aaron Carpenter, and van der Merwe were great on the day.

If the U.S. is going to overturn the deficit next week it is going to take a near perfect match. The veterans on the team need to step up and take charge of the squad. It can't just be talking outside the pitch it needs to be a step up on the pitch. Even if the U.S. play better next week it's going to take a lot to overcome an 18 point deficit.

The second leg of the series is planned for next Saturday at BMO Field in Toronto. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. et/1:00 p.m. pt.

Canada 27

Tries: Mack, Jones, van der Merwe
Conversions: Pritchard (3)
Penalties: Pritchard (2)

U.S.A. 9

Penalties: Wyles (3)

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