(Jose Lagman photo)
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“We are happy to win,” head coach Eddie O’Sullivan said following the match. “But, honestly a bit disappointed that we gave up so many points in the last quarter. We would have liked to walk away with a larger point spread, but in the end are happy to take away the victory.”
The US got an early lead on the Teros after first-half tries from Tim Usasz and Kevin Swiryn. A successful penalty kick near the end of the half by Mike Hercus gave the US a 13-3 lead at the break.
Although the Eagles kept up the pressure and scored two converted tries after the break by centers Junior Sifa and Alipate Tuilevuka, penalties started to hurt the U.S. Team in the second half and Jeronimo Etchverry's outstanding boot brought the Teros back to life.
In front of approximately 2,000 fans, Uruguay maintained a strong scrum and maul, surging ahead in the last 15 minutes to come back in the final moments of the game.
Thanks to Etchverry’s three penalties and converted try at the end of the match, Uruguay made it a nailbiter and brought the score to within a try, 27-22.
The USA and Uruguay now move on to Florida for the home leg of the two-game series on Saturday, November 21, with the USA on a slim five-point advantage.
USA 27
Tries: Usasz, Swiryn, Sifa, Tuilevuka
Convs: Hercus 2
Pens: Hercus
Uruguay 22
Tries: Etcheverry
Convs: Etcheverry
Pens: Moral, Etcheverry 3
USA
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens) 14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic) 13. Paul Emerick (Parma FC) 12. Junior Sifa (Middleton) 11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach) 10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays) 9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham)
1. Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City/Sporting Club Albigeois) 2. Phil Thiel (Life University) 3. Will Johnson (Oxford University) 4. John Van der Giessen (Sporting Club Albigeois) 5. Hayden Smith (Saracens) 6. Louis Stanfill (NYAC) 7. Todd Clever (Golden Lions) 8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
Reserves: 16. Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club) 17. Jacob Sprague (Mystic River) 18. Alec Parker (Aspen) 19. Jonathan ‘JJ’ Gagiano (FC Roma) 20. Mike Petri (NYAC) 21. Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore) 22. Pate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
Uruguay
15. Jerónimo Etchverry (Carrasco Polo) 14. Martín Crosa (Old Boys) 13. Juan Llovet (Old Christians) 12. Joaquín Pastore (Old Boys - Capitán) 11. Leandro Leivas (Old Christians) 10. Nicolás Morales (Trébol) 9. Juan Campomar (Old Boys)
1. Rodrigo Sànchez (Carrasco Polo) 2. Martín Espiga (Old Christians) 3. Mario Sagario (Dax - Francia) 4. Carlos Protasi (Carrasco Polo) 5. Matías Fonseca (Los Cuervos) 6. Nicolás Brignoni (Oyonnax - Francia) 7. Alfredo Giuria (Los Cuervos) 8. Rodrigo Capó (Castres - Francia)
Reserves: 16. Carlos Arboleya (Trébol) 17. Alejo Corral (SIC) 18. Juan Alzueta (Trébol) 19. Juan Horta 20. Manuel Martinez (Old Christians) 21. Alejandro Silveira (Los Cuervos) 22-Tomás Jolivet (Old Boys)