Sunday, September 20th marked the halfway point of the 2020 USPA Butler International Cup where four teams representing four countries have been competing to determine who will play in the final match on Sunday, September 27th. Argentina is currently in the lead of the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. Results and remaining schedule of the 2020 USPA Butler International Cup are as follows:
• Friday, September 18th : Argentina (8) vs. United States (7)
• Friday, September 18th : Switzerland (8) vs. Germany (4)
• Sunday, September 20th : Argentina (9) vs. Germany (7)
• Sunday, September 20th : United States (7) vs. Switzerland (6)
• Wednesday, September 23rd : Germany vs. United States
• Wednesday, September 23rd : Argentina vs. Switzerland
• Friday, September 25th : @ TBA Consolation Final
• Sunday, September 27th : Consolation Final or Championship Match
Presented by Merrill Lynch, the Butler International Cup, wraps up Oak Brook Polo Club’s 98th Season as well as the Chicago Polo Association’s 12-Goal Season. The famous trophy was first played in 1986 between Oak Brook and HRH Prince Charles’s Wales Polo Team. This year the Cup has been transformed into a 12-Goal United States Polo Association (USPA) Nationally Sanctioned tournament.
As of Sunday, September 20th, the current Butler International Cup standings are as follows:
Argentina (2-0)
Larry Aschebrook (0)
Juan Martin Gutierrez (3)
Juan Martin Obregon (5)
Matias Obregon (4)
United States (1-1)
Mariano Gutierrez (4)
Tomas “Toto” Obregon (4)
Horacio Onetto (4)
Jim Drury (0)
Switzerland (1-1)
Richard Harris (0)
Pedro Manion ( 3)
Facundo Obregon (6)
Miguel Gutierrez (3)
Germany (0-2)
Frauke Lueders (0)
Jan Lueders (0)
Anthony Garcia (5)
Mariano Obregon (7)
Argentina leads the field with two wins and zero loses, solidifying their spot in theButler International Cup championship match All eyes will be on Switzerland and the United States to see which team earns the second spot. If both teams win, a shootout will occur to determine who will be playing Argentina in the finals. If Argentina loses it will be three way tie and shootout.
“This is what we had hoped to achieve from this tournament,” explains Oak Brook Polo Club Managing Director, Danny O’Leary. “The culmination of a fun and competitive 12-goal season with participation from other countries who are also ending their professional seasons as well. These teams are playing at their peak, which makes for some of the best watched polo.”
The Butler International Cup tournament kicked off last Friday, September 18th between Argentina and the United States at Las Brisas Farm & Polo Club in Elgin, Illinois. Argentina took an early lead in the first two chukkers before the U.S. grabbed a 5-4 lead at the half thanks to Horacio Onetto’s three back-to-back goals in the third chukker. Argentina’s Juan Martin Obregon would return the favor with three of his own between the fourth and fifth chukker, forcing the U.S. to play catch up. Argentina’s Matias Obregon would score the final goal for Argentina giving them the lead and win.
That same afternoon, Switzerland would play Germany at Arranmore Farm & Polo Club in Oswego, Illinois. In this match, Switzerland’s Facundo Obregon would come out strong putting up three of his six goals in the first chukker. With help from his teammates Pedro Manion and Miguel Gutierrez, the Swiss team would hold their lead for the entire game, while holding Germany to four goals and ending the match 8-4, Switzerland.
On Sunday, September 20th, Argentina would play Germany in the morning at Las Brisas Farm & Polo Club. Like Switzerland, Argentina would start the match strong by putting up three goals compliments of Matias Obregon, who would go on to score two more goals before the half. With support from teammate Juan Martin Obregon, the Argentina team would end the first half with a five-goal lead over Germany. In the second half, Germany made a strong comeback scorning five goals to Argentina’s two, coming within three goals shy of winning the match. A strong display offense and defense by Germany, but not enough.
That afternoon, the United States would play Switzerland at the Prince of Wales Field in Oak Brook, Illinois. This match started with a much slower pace as both teams defended each other well until the end of the second chukker which was tied 1-1. In the third chukker, the U.S. would breakaway with four goal lead thanks to Tomas Obregon and Horacio Onetto. In the second half, Switzerland would turn up the heat scorning five goals to the United States’ two goals. In the final thirty seconds, Switzerland’s Pedro Manion stole the ball from the U.S. and nearly tied the game in the final few seconds.
The tournament continues on Wednesday, September 23rd with matches between Germany and the United States, as well as Argentina and Switzerland. These matches will be held at private fields and are not open to the general public. For match results, please follow the Oak Brook Polo Club on Facebook and Instagram.
Oak Brook Polo Club is located at 2606 York Road, seventeen miles from downtown Chicago.A variety of ticket options are available at www.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information, event scheduling, and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095 or visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com.
Photos by Andrew Meier
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