The USA finished sixth out of six teams in the Americas Pacific Challenge, finishing the event with a disappointing 55-15 loss to Argentina XV in Montevideo.

The game was certainly close for about 30 minutes or so, and the Americans has multiple scoring opportunities, but the old problems of retaining ball through multiple phases, and executing on set piece in attacking situations, resurfaced.

The Selects looked much more cohesive in the opening minutes, running phases and getting good ruck clearcuts, as well as being unified and more physical on defense.

That led the USA Selects scoring the first try of the day. - Ryan Matyas capping off a superb movement highlights by a quick catch-and-pass from Mika Kruse. Matyas still had some work to do and beat several tacklers to go in from 40 meters out.

But Argentina XV responded moments later with a penalty from Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, and while a Dylan Audsley penalty goal made it 10-3, the USA would not hold that lead for long. 

JP Eloff’s ill-advised offload from contact gift-wrapped a try for Diaz Bonilla to tie the game 10-10 at 17 minutes.

After that, the game settled down in terms of scoring, but not in terms of action. Both teams were guilty of mistakes - losing possession, poor kicks - and that saw both squads under pressure. 

On one such occasion, the Selects had a lineout inside the Argentina 22, and drove a maul still closer. But after scrumhalf Nick Boyer cut away to attack toward the middle of the field, not enough players were there to secure the ruck, and Argentina kicked free.

It would be a big part of the story of the game.

With a little over ten minutes left in the first half, the wheels started to come off the USA truck. A penalty committed while the Selects were on attack put Argentina inside the Americans 22, and after some hard runs in tight, prop Lucas Favre was through under the posts.

Moments later, a USA lineout at halfway was stolen, and the resulting Argentina maul traveled 30 meters before the ball was sent wide for Leopold Manuel Herrera to score in the corner.

That try was set up by fullback Santiago Carreras, who was having an excellent game. But a few minutes later he collided with USA flanker Psalm Wooching, and had to leave. Leaving, too, was Audsley, who was injured. 

With time up in the first half the USA had one more shot at scoring. But another turnover in contact resulted in an Argentina counter-attack and a rollicking run from prop Franco Brarda for another try.

Down 29-10 at halftime the Americans came out looking much better for the second half. Big carries from Wooching and Vili Toluta’u helped them get into an attacking position. And while Wooching could have passed to Kruse for a try, eventually the ball made its way to Matyas, who flew into the corner.

Tails up, the USA Selects were humbled when it took Argentina XV less than a minute to score a try in answer.

The Argentina XV controlled much of the game after that. Substitutions didn’t help either team’s cohesion, but the more veteran Argentina team pieces together some well-taken tries. 

For the USA Selects, Kruse was a revelation at center, showing he can handle big, imposing ball runners, and can distribute as well as run. Wooching was a physical presence, and Brendan Daly and Nate Brakeley put in a ton of work, but too many players failed to control possession.

The USA Selects also kicked a great deal, and to little success, and have Ryan Matyas to thank for the two tries.

With Canada A beating Tonga A 32-31 earlier in the day, that meant that the USA Selects were the only team to fail to win a game.

USA Selects 15
Tries: Matyas 2
Convs: Audsley
Pens: Audsley

Argentina XV 55
Tries: Brarda, Favre, Bruni, Diaz Bonilla, Secura, Herrera, Grondnoa, Osadczuk
Convs: Diaz Bonilla 4, Miotti 2
Pens: Diaz Bonilla  

USA Selects Lineup

1. Chance Wenglewski 2. Alex Maughan 3. John Hayden 4. Nate Brakeley 5. Matt Jensen 6. Psalm Wooching 7. ViliToluta'u 8. Brendan Daly 9. Nick Boyer 10. JP Eloff 11. Ryan Matyas 12. Dylan Audsley 13. Mike Kruse 14. Tim Maupin 15. Connor Kearns (C)

Reserves (all played): 16. Pat O'Toole 17. KelepiFifita 18. Cam Falcon 19. Taylor Krumrei 20. Thomas Robles 21. Devereaux Ferris 22. Anthony Salaber 23. Zach Young

Argentina XV Lineup
1. Franco Alexis Brarda 2. Axel Zapata 3. Lucas Favre 4. JeronimoUreta 5. Ignacio Larrague 6. Rodrigo Bruni 7. LautaroEzequie lBavaro 8. Santiago Portillo 9. Luca Magnaso 10. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla 11. Facundo Cordero 12. Lucas Mensa 13. Agustin Segura 14. Leopoldo Manuel Herrera 15. Santiago Carreras

Reserves (All Played): 16. Gaspar Baldunciel 17. NicolasSolverya 18. MarcoCiccioli 19. Francisco Jorge Gorrissen 20. Santiago Grondona 21. Gregorio Del Prete 22. Hugo Domingo Miotti 23. MatiasLucas Osadczuk