Wellington, FL – April 15, 2021 – A new champion will soon be crowned in the CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship® after an exciting day of semifinal play produced the two finalists who will fight to capture the most prestigious trophy in American polo. The first semifinal featured defending champions Pilot against USPA Gold Cup® champions Scone, with a dominant performance from Scone’s trio of Adolfo Cambiaso, Poroto Cambiaso, and Peke Gonzalez leading them to the 14-10 victory. The second semifinal produced one of the most exciting finishes of the season as Park Place scored five unanswered goals in the final chukker to shock La Indiana 14-13 and advance to the CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship® final at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The first semifinal was decided in open play where Scone displayed a proficient defense that stifled Pilot’s 10-goal duo of Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, limiting them to zero field goals over the first four chukkers. Generating 27 shots at goal, Scone dominated possession and remained organized throughout to prevent any significant counterattacks from Pilot. Despite finishing a perfect 5 for 5 from the penalty line, Pilot was outscored 10-1 from the field until the final chukker, resulting in the impressive 14-10 victory in favor of Scone.
On the opening play of the game, Adolfo Cambiaso won the throw-in and scored from distance for Scone to set the early tone in the game. Pilot’s Facundo Pieres provided a brief response on a Penalty 4 conversion, but the remainder of the first chukker belonged to Scone as they continually pressured the Pilot defense with a determined attack that received three fouls. Gonzalez converted both opportunities from the penalty line while adding a goal from the field, leaving Pilot facing an early 4-1 deficit. Missing all 10 of their shot attempts in the first half, Pilot struggled to match the offense of Scone but stayed within reach on three penalty conversions from Facundo Pieres. Poroto Cambiaso added his name to the scoresheet before the end of the half to give Scone the 6-3 advantage.
Peke Gonzalez and Adolfo Cambiaso celebrate Scone‘s win. ©Alex Pacheco
A decisive fourth chukker changed the game as Pilot continued to go scoreless from the field, leaving Scone to build on their lead. An exceptional ride-off from Gonzalez set up Cambiaso as part of a three-goal chukker for Scone. Trying relentlessly throughout the game to score from the field, Pilot finally broke through in the fifth chukker when Keko Magrini scored on Pilot’s twelfth shot attempt. However, the day belonged to Scone as Poroto Cambiaso stepped up in the late stages of the game, scoring back-to-back goals to leave Pilot with a nearly insurmountable seven-goal deficit entering the final chukker. Despite the best efforts of Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, who combined for four goals and four assists in the sixth chukker, Scone completed the impressive 14-10 victory to reach their third consecutive final in the Gauntlet of Polo®.
The second semifinal produced a comeback to remember after Park Place entered the final chukker down four goals and proceeded to score five consecutive goals, including the game-winning goal from Matt Coppola inside the final minute to capture the spectacular victory. Accurate 5 for 6 penalty shooting from Ulloa, along with efficient 64% shooting from the field for Park Place helped them overcome the eight-goal performance from Polito Pieres. La Indiana used the pass exceptionally well throughout the game, collecting eight assists on 11 field goals, but the game was decided in the final moments with Park Place’s persistence leading them into the final with the 14-13 victory.
Park Place‘s Matt Coppola scored the game-winning goal for his team. ©Alex Pacheco
In the first minute of the game, Juan Britos scored near-identical runs, winning the throw-in and racing to goal on a breakaway to give Park Place the 2-0 lead before 60 seconds had ticked off the clock. Controlling possession on the third throw-in, La Indiana reset and quickly brought the game even at 2-2 after consecutive goals from Pieres and erasing the rapid start from Park Place. Turning to their defense, Park Place limited La Indiana to just one more goal through the end of the second chukker and building a two-goal lead in a complete team effort that saw contributions from all four players. Before the end of the second chukker, Jeff Hall took a mallet to the chin, bloodying his jersey but he bravely carried on and was instrumental in La Indiana’s surge to end the half. Scoring five goals in a dominant third chukker, La Indiana found both Nico Escobar and Michael Bickford at the front of the game, with the duo scoring two goals each to give La Indiana their first lead at 8-6.
Building off their momentum from the end of the first half, La Indiana controlled possession to begin the final three chukkers and leave Park Place in their defensive half. Tournament scoring leader Polito Pieres pushed his team forward with consecutive goals and completing a 9-2 run that left Park Place trailing by four. Withstanding seven shot attempts from La Indiana in the fifth chukker, a determined Park Place team remained behind by four entering the final seven minutes. Wasting little time, Andrey Borodin received a foul that led to a Penalty 2 conversion for Ulloa, which he followed up with a field goal just minutes later to bring Park Place within two. As time began to tick down, Ulloa converted a second Penalty 2, leaving Park Place in desperate need of a tying goal. Winning the throw-in, Britos fought through the pressure of La Indiana’s defense and ran the ball through the goal, pumping his fists as the game was tied at 13-13. However, Park Place pushed for the incredible victory in the following play. Winning the ball out the back of the throw-in, Britos left the ball for Ulloa and a long pass found Coppola in front of goal. Just as he did two years ago in the semifinal with Las Monjitas, Coppola sent the ball through the goal, scoring the game-winning goal as the last run from La Indiana was stopped and Park Place celebrated the memorable 14-13 triumph.
Park Place will face Scone on Sunday to determine which team will win the 2021 CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship® final. ©Alex Pacheco
The final of the 2021 CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship® is set between Park Place and Scone for Sunday, April 18 at 3 pm ET on the Home of the U.S. Polo Assn – Field 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Sunday brunch will now be available through May 9, Mother‘s Day, thanks to the addition of three new Sunday game dates. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.
Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.
