USA Men's Sevens Name Squad for Spain World Series Events

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CHULA VISTA, CA – Head Coach Mike Friday has picked 14-players for the first World Series stops of 2022 in Malaga and Seville January 21-23 and 28-30, respectively. Matches are broadcast on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock.

Roster Highlights

Perry Baker will earn his 50th World Series cap
Chase Haskin will earn his first cap in the World Series and Aaron Cummings has the opportunity to make his debut if activated as a traveling reserve
Faitala Talapusi will play for the first time since Paris 2018
Olympian Maceo Brown returns for the first time since the Tokyo Games
Colorado XOs’ David Still plays for the first time since Edmonton 2021
Lucas LaCamp, Jack Wendling and Folau Niua are unavailable
Malacchi Esdale, Ben Broselle, Adam Channel, Jake Lachina, Cody Melphy and Jerome Nale are all unavailable due to injury

Last Tournament | Dubai, December 2021

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series held back-to-back tournaments in Dubai in December of last year (2021) marking the opening rounds of the new season. The USA Men’s Sevens opened with a bang, making it to the Cup Final of the first event only to fall against South Africa and claim a silver medal. In the second weekend, the Eagles Sevens struggled to perform with consistency, leading to a seventh place finish. Overall, the squad ranks fourth with another seven events to go in the 2022 season.

In the second leg of Dubai, Carlin Isles led the team in tries and clean breaks. Stephen Tomasin led overall points and tied with Perry Baker in tackles.

Malaga Match-ups

The USA are drawn in Pool C with home team Spain, Samoa and Argentina. Spain are ranked 10th overall after finishing 10th in both Dubai events. Samoa will play in their first World Series event of the 2022 Season while Argentina are ranked 2nd overall after claiming back-to-back bronze medals in Dubai.

Head Coach Mike Friday said:

“We are all looking forward to another opportunity to represent in two exciting new stops on the circuit. This is very much a new group who want to move us forward and build on what those before have done and they realize the size of the challenge and responsibility that lies ahead in what is a very uncompromising competition.

“We know we will make mistakes, have to learn as we play and be resilient in those times of adversity, ensuring we dig deep in both tournaments.

“The challenge for us as a group will be to minimize errors in the basics of the game, tactically be cohesive and play as one. We are in a highly competitive group with the other three teams being hugely physical on both sides of the ball and in Spain there is the extra spice and passion of playing at home.

“Excited to see the boys take the field and we should all get ready for the rollercoaster of emotions that the games will no doubt bring.”

USA Men’s Sevens Roster

PLAYER NAME	POSITION	HSBC TOURNAMENTS (TO DATE)
1. Carlin Isles	Wing	59
2. Logan Tago	Forward	2
3. Gavan D’Amore	Forward	4
4. Chase Schor Haskin	Forward	Debut
5. Joe Schroeder	Forward	16
6. Kevon Williams (C)	Halfback/Wing	31
7. Faitala Talapusi	Halfback	3
8. Maceo Brown	Center/Forward	14
9. Stephen Tomasin	Utility	39
10. Marcus Tupuola	Flyhalf/Center	11
11. Perry Baker	Wing/Center	49
12. David Still	Wing/Forward	2
13. Naima Fuala’au	Halfback	12
14. Aaron Cummings (traveling reserve)	Forward	Debut