USA Men’s Eagles Face Romania in Crucial 2025 Pershing Cup Clash
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The USA Men’s Eagles aim to conclude their 2025 campaign with a victory as they prepare to face Romania in Bucharest on Saturday, November 15. This match is not only a chance to finish the year strong but also a key opportunity to improve their standing in the World Rugby rankings, which will soon influence the seeding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw.
The Eagles announced their roster for this weekend’s fixture, marking the third consecutive year the two nations have competed for the Pershing Cup. Both teams possess a strong understanding of each other’s strategies, promising a competitive end to the Men’s fifteens schedule. The match is scheduled to kick off at 10:00am ET and will be broadcast live on Paramount+.
Recent injuries to starters Pono Davis and Brandon Harvey have prompted minor adjustments to the US lineup. However, captain Jason Damm will return to his pivotal role at No. 8, while Tonga Kofe is set to make his first start of November at Prop. Cory Daniel, Mitch Wilson, and Maliu Niuafe also rejoin the 23-man squad, bringing renewed energy after the November 1st opener.
Following a challenging match against Georgia, where the Men’s Eagles demonstrated improved kicking accuracy and attacking pressure despite a 43-30 loss, the team is focused on retaining that momentum. A senior official stated, “The opportunity in Bucharest is to build on that positive dynamic and secure a win.” The US currently holds a slightly higher position than Romania in the World Rugby rankings, adding further significance to this contest.
USA Men’s Eagles Roster – USA vs Romania
Here is the complete roster for the match against Romania:
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth | Unattached |
| 2. Kaleb Geiger | New England Free Jacks |
| 3. Tonga Kofe | Leicester Tigers |
| 4. Avoid Frying | Old Glory DC |
| 5. Marno Redelinghuys | Unattached |
| 6. Paddy Ryan | Unattached |
| 7. Cory Daniel | Old Glory DC |
| 8. Jason Damm (C) | CA Legion |
| 9. Ruben de Haas | Unattached |
| 10. Luke Carty | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 11. Rufus McLean | Unattached |
| 12. David Lobet | Chicago Hounds |
| 13. Dominic Besag | Saint Mary’s College |
| 14. Mark O’Keefe | Chicago Hounds |
| 15. Toby Fricker | Bristol Bears |
| 16. Mikey Sosene-Feagai | CA Legion |
| 17. Payton Telea-Ilialio | Unattached |
| 18. Death of Niuafe | CA Legion |
| 19. Sharp Knife | Montauban (FRA) |
| 20. VIDEO NUMBERS | Unattached |
| 21. Makeen Alikhan | Anthem Rugby Carolina |
| 22. Mitch Wilson | New England Free Jacks |
| 23. Michael Baska | Chicago Hounds |
Coaching and Support Staff
The USA Men’s Eagles are guided by a dedicated team of coaches and staff:
- Scott Lawrence | Head Coach + GM
- Nick Easter | Assistant Coach – Defense
- Steve Brett | Assistant Coach – Attack & Skills
- Agustin Cavalieri | Assistant Coach – Forwards
- Blake Bradford | Assistant Coach – Scrum
- Jimmy Harrison | Analyst
- Declan Oorloff | Analyst
- Rodolfo Broggi | Athletic Performance Coach
- Matoko Noudehou | Strength and Conditioning
- Michael Sheridan | Lead Athletic Trainer
- Delaney Cassidy | Assistant Athletic Trainer
- Willie Berlanga | Massage Therapist
- Matthew Schmitz | Team Doctor (Scotland & Georgia)
- Marc Kowalsky | Team Doctor (Romania)
- Nick Colling | Team Manager
Autumn Internationals Results to Date
The Eagles have faced a challenging Autumn Internationals schedule:
- Scotland vs USA | (L) 85-0 – Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh, SCO
- Georgia vs USA | (L) 43-30 – Adonabeet, Rock, GEO
- Romania vs USA | Nov 15, 10:00am ET – Arcul du Triumf, Bucharest, ROM
Fans can watch the Romania vs USA match live on Paramount+. The outcome of this final 2025 fixture will undoubtedly have implications for the team’s trajectory as they look ahead to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
