(IRB/Zoomfiji photo)

Looking to build on the momentum of the Shield victory in Wellington, the US team now returns to home soil to play before a new crowd of fans at the USA Sevens, staged for the first time at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 13-14.

Last year's USA Sevens event in San Diego, which saw the US emerge to an unprecedented semifinal showdown versus Argentina, drew a crowd of 38,750 spectators and was shown to a broadcast audience of 1.4 million in its first ever US network television showing.

“The USA Sevens event is so important to us because we are playing in front of our home crowd – our friends and family,” said USA head coach Al Caravelli.

“These young men want to do well in front of our fans. The crowd last year was amazing. They really helped propel the US team to its first Cup semifinal.

“With the pool we are in, we are going to need the help of every fan to push the team just like they did last year. It would be wonderful if we can have an even bigger crowd than Petco Park.”

The 2010 event, held on Valentine’s Day weekend sees the USA team faceoff against New Zealand Sevens champions Fiji, South Africa, and border rivals Canada when a tough day of pool play gets underway on Feb. 13.

For more information on the US Sevens team, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/mens_sevens. For more information on the IRB Sevens tournament, please visit www.irbsevens.com