LOS ANGELES, CA. – The Men’s Eagles announce their match-day roster to begin the Americas Rugby Championship this Saturday (Feb. 3) at 5 PM PT against Argentina XV at StubHub Center. As defending champions, new Head Coach Gary Gold and the Eagles have spent the last week in a rigorous training regimen preparing to open the season against the 2017 runner-ups. Tickets for the match start at only $20 and are on sale now through AXS. A LIVE broadcast will also be available to viewers with a subscription to The Rugby Channel.

Saturday’s match will also mark a full head coaching debut for Gary Gold. Having spent the past several weeks learning about his squad and identifying a plan of attack, Gold is prepared to begin the season strong.

“Focus around the camp has been for us all to get on to the same page as quickly as possible and to be well aligned as a group,” said Gold. “We also need to ensure we get the stuff we need to focus on done to the best of our ability. Having only been together for the week, we’ve worked really hard to put plans into place. The boys have bought in really well and we hope we are going to get some great returns.”

Headlining the team as Captain is wing Blaine Scully who led the Americans to a 46-17 win over Germany and almost upset of No. 12 World Ranked Georgia (20-21) in their November Test Series. Hooker Joe Taufete’e suits up as well, having made a considerable impact in scoring with his two tries against Georgia and hat trick against Canada in the Rugby World Cup Qualifier.

Fly half Will Magie will take over kicking duties with familiar faces in fullback Mike Te’o, lock Nick Civetta and scrum half Nate Augspurger to round out the bunch.

USA Men’s Eagles Starters | USA vs Argentina XV | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship

USA Men’s Eagles Reserves | USA vs. Argentina XV | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship

USA Men’s Eagles Staff | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship

Gary Gold: Head Coach

Greg McWilliams: Assistant Coach – Backs & Attack

Scott Lawrence: Assistant Coach – Defense

Shawn Pittman: Assistant Coach – Set Piece

Chris Hanson: Team Manager

Jimmy Harrison: Analyst

Kevin Ng: Head ATC

Brian Finn: Assistant ATC (Jan. 24 – Feb. 17)

Dr. Richard Kim: Team Doctor (Jan. 24 – Feb. 3)

Dr. Mark Sakr: Team Doctor (Feb. 4 – Feb. 10)

Dr. Deborah Light: Team Doctor (Feb. 11 – Feb. 17)

Dr. Jeff Mjaanes: Team Doctor (Feb. 18 – Mar. 4)

Dave Hodges: Men’s Eagles General Manager

USA Men’s Eagles | 2018 Americas Rugby Championship

vs Argentina XV

Sat, Feb. 3 | 8 PM ET

StubHub Center, Los Angeles, CA

vs Canada

Sat, Feb. 10 | 6 PM ET

Papa Murphy’s Park, Sacramento, CA

vs Chile

Sat, Feb. 17 | 5 PM ET

Titan Stadium, Fullerton, CA

vs Brazil

Sat, Feb. 24 | 3:40 PM ET

Martins Pereira Stadium, Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil

vs Uruguay

Sat, Mar. 3 | 1:40 PM ET

Estadio Charrua, Montevideo, Uruguay

USA begins the new season at No. 17 in the World Rankings. Trends surrounding the matchup between Argentina XV and the United States should bode for an exciting and memorable match at StubHub Center. Having drawn their matches the past two years, yet taken a championship victory in the tournament from one another, the pace and anticipation surrounding the contest will be at an all-time high.

“We have a huge respect for Argentina and expect a really fast, tough encounter against them. They are an exciting attacking team so we need to be really prepared for what they are going to throw at us,” said Head Coach Gary Gold.

The match begins at 5 PM PT at StubHub Center in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets start at only $20 and are available for sale through AXS with the contest also broadcast LIVE on The Rugby Channel.