USA Ultimate

Australia, Canada, and Stadium Night Games

Photo Gallery: 7/19/09
Photo Gallery (Scobel Wiggins): 7/19/09
Video Clip: USA vs. Australia (Part 1)
Video Clip: USA vs. Australia (Part 2)
Video Clip: USA vs. Australia (Part 3)
Video Clip: USA vs. Canada (Part 1)
Video Clip: USA vs. Canada (Part 2)

Everyone was super pumped on the bus on the way into the stadium. Some people showed their excitement physically (dancing), and other's through personal focus. By the time we arrived everyone was ready for action.

We gathered up in one of the four stadium locker rooms and geared up. Moving across the hall the team started active warm ups in the indoor half-arc track. Even though almost all of the indoor space is air-conditioned, the indoor space is not so it's a tad warm in the room. This actually turned out to be a plus since it was a good transitional environment to the outside heat.

After warming up the team gathered their game gear and headed to the waiting area. The captains checked the team in and then everyone made their way into the field. Walking onto the field for the first time during competition was quite exciting, especially since there were several thousand people in the stands. The team moved out into the field and went through several long and short throwing drills. Then it was game time.

Australia is one of two teams that we hadn't played sometime over the summer, so we were quite sure what to expect other than that Australia was going to be strong. AUS came out swinging right from the start and some early jitters on the part of the US led to some unforced turns. The game stayed close and the US took half 7-6. The team kept momentum through the second half and ended up winning 13-11.

Next we headed off to a quick lunch and then bounced back to the stadium for the opening ceremonies for Flying Disc. On the way over the catering center we shared a bus with the Dragon Boat team and showed them our amazing singing skills.

At the opening ceremonies we lined up, walked to a spot, there was some talking, we walked to another spot, there was some talking and cheering, then we walked back inside after a round of speeches. After the ceremony was got to watch Chinese Taipei play Australia. TPE managed to go up 5-4 on AUS with ~12,000 people rooting them on from the stands. We're pretty sure that the crowd's during Sunday's TPE games were the largest ever for any Ultimate game, ever. Does anyone know of an Ultimate game that had a crowd watching it larger than 12,000?

TPE fought hard but AUS stayed ahead, winning 13 - 9.

The team then gathered up and went through their warm up routine before their game against Canada. On the field the rosters were announced. By the time the game started the lights had been on for a while and a night time light breeze kept things a little cool. Canada started off by scoring first and holding it close for a bit, but then the US took off and never looked back, winning 13 - 6. There were many spectacular plays and very few mistakes made by the US. You can read through the game on the Twitter feed (witter.com/upaorg) and also watch the game on the YouTube channel (youtube.com/upamedia).

After the game was over we packed up and headed over to the dining hall. After piling in as much food as we could manage, we all headed back to the hotels. Meredith and I then headed out on a laundry run, and made it back around mid night to find the entire team fast asleep.

- Josh

Here's what Sam CK has to say about the Australia game:

"Day 1 of competition was pretty successful, starting with a fairly windy and ugly, or perhaps we'll call it "gritty", win against Australia. We went down a break to start, but had taken the lead by the half. We won the second half as well, with a final score of 13-11."

Here's a recap of the day from Matty Tsang:

"The last game of Day 1 is after 7pm under the lights. Wind has died down and the temperature is a frigid 85F.

The US spanks Canada 13-6.

The US plays well makes some great defensive plays and was efficient with the disc converting quickly on blocks and Canadian mistakes.

Canada's performance was disappointing. This roster has a ton of talent. But with the exception of Kirk Savage and Walker, you didn't see the individuals on the team showcase their strengths during this game. Offensively they seemed out of sync (no doubt helped by US D) and had a number of early-in-the possession turnovers, and defensively they consistently gave up big yardage throws.

An interesting thing on the US side. Without the alternates here at the Games the US is left with very few true handlers. As a result, for much of the game, players like Bart and CK end up behind the disc. Players that perhaps in the most ideal situation would be able to showcase their strengths most as cutters. However one thing that is even harder to find than a player that is both a throwing and cutting threat is a defender that can play on lane cutters and handlers equally well. The US with their roster, and the way they have keeping their positions interchangeable are a defensive nightmare. When you line up against Bart, CK, Dylan, Cara, Gwen, Seth, and Gabe, you can't be sure what position they will be playing. To make it worse they will switch mid point.

A couple of US highlights:
At 4-3 US Cate Foster gets the D, moments later a huge huck, Cate lays out but mac's it 15 feet in the air enough time for a bunch of people to get under it, Dylan looks like he has position to get it but it drift backwards right into the hand of ... Cate!

Cara 65 yard to bomb to Bart, and then on the next offensive point Cussen does the same to Alicia!

Chelsea catch-block on the her own goaline. A couple passes later the US takes half.

After the game, bare chested US male players were a big hit with the young taiwanese ladies. Lot's of pictures, autographs and giggling. Chelsea Putnam may be the mascot for the team, she is very popular with the fans.

UK had the toughest schedule today and went 0-2. They will have to depend on a lot of help from others and and win out their games if they want to get to finals.

Australia has the ingredients to make a run in the tournament. They have a solid roster and the Dowle twins are dynamic weapons. Unfortunately, lapses in focus have led to moments of poor play. If they can become more consistent they will make things a lot more interesting after tomorrow."