Hey polo fans!

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. The last three of our four games here at the FIP World Championships have followed this exact pattern where we start out implementing the game plan perfectly and stray away from it in the second half, only to re-implement it in the final minutes of the game. Unfortunately we kept digging ourselves in too big of a whole to come back.

It seemed that in the first two chukkers both USA and Australia were feeling each other out offensively and defensively. In the third chukker, the momentum started to shift in our direction as Team USA came together as a cohesive unit. This cohesiveness spilled over into the fourth chukker where our incredible defense and precise passing allowed us to take the lead with a score of 7-4. The fifth chukker is where our boys fell asleep at the wheel. Like the fourth chukker of our game against Chile, the boys threw the game plan out the window and tried something new, only to find Australia had stolen their momentum. Going into the sixth, that momentum allowed them to tie the game with a score of 7-7. There seemed to be a glimmer of hope with some good passes causing the Australians to foul, awarding us a penalty 3 that Mason Wroe converted into a goal. As quickly as the tides seemed to turn in our favor they seemed to turn back as Australia scored 3 unanswered goals due to foul trouble. In the last minute of the game, we seemed to dig deep but with both teams scoring with under 30 seconds left; it was out of our reach.

I can’t stress enough that when it was good it was really good and when it was bad it was really bad, but either way it was a team effort. Individually, these players tried their hearts out, knowing they were representing their country and fellow polo players in the United States. I might not be so proud of their team effort at times, but overall I am proud to say I coached this group of fine men and would do it again.

I do want to mention all the great support that the team and I have had since the beginning from everybody at the USPA from the top down; especially those who came to support us at the events in Casa de Campo and Argentina. Our team manager, Ed Armstrong was invaluable in every aspect to us. I also want to thank Amanda Hersey for making sure everyone at home could follow us through the good times and the bad. I don’t know how to thank all the fans who have followed us by posting their support on Twitter and Facebook, I only wish we could have equaled your support with “W’s”.

Thanks again, GO USA!!!

Coach Charlie Muldoon