Polo Report - USA vs Chile Second Time Around

USA vs. Chile and International Cup

USA vs Chile
and
The International Cup

On Saturday, June 17^th, USA staged a surprise upset against their international rival and polo powerhouse in the Newport International Polo Series featuring USA vs Chile. It was the third time the Chileans have taken the field in Newport in the history of the Series. USA managed an 11-8 victory despite unfavorable odds to maintain their winning streak against the Chileans on home turf.

The 7-goal Chilean team was captained by Don Felix Garrido, a polo veteran and wine producer from Currico, Chile, playing in the #1 position. Don Felix was joined by his sons, Raphael Garrido, a student of Oenology in Santiago in the #3 position, and 3-goaler Felix Garrido, Jr. a wine producer from Chile in the #4 position, who lead the team scoring with two goals in the first chukka and one in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth chukkas. Substituting in the #2 position for Chile was Walter Eayers, a 2-goal player and student of Historic Preservation from Newport, who scored in the third and sixth chukkas.

USA, comprising a 2-goal team, was given a 3-goal advantage to constitute a fair match after weighing the handicap deficit versus the visiting team’s unfamiliarity with their mounts. Playing the in the #1 position, Dave Bullis, team physician and orthopedic surgeon, scored in the second and fifth chukkas for USA. In the #2 position, Gene Goldstein, a commercial real estate developer, was USA’s leading scorer, with one goal each in the third and sixth chukkas and two goals in the fourth. In the #3 position, team captain and President of the Newport International Polo Series, Dan Keating, added a goal in the fourth chukka and two in the fifth chukka. Newport businessman Leonard Nihan, rounded out the squad’s defense in the #4 position.

Chile was off to a likely victory, leading off with two unanswered goals in the first chukka. USA maintained the narrow lead by adding points in the second and third chukkas. USA charged ahead in the fourth and fifth chukkas, with three goals in each to widen their lead. Chile tried to rally in the sixth chukka but fell short with only two more goals to end the match. Highlights of the match included Felix Jr.’s skill as penalty sharp shooter, converting several times into goals for Chile. The match included a first-ever brief rain delay when thunderstorm clouds provided a dramatic intermission.

On Saturday, June 24, the Newport International Polo Series featured the International Cup, a goodwill match comprised of a consortium of international players, pitting local favorite Newport USA against Sea-Band International. Despite equal handicaps of 5 goals, the rival team was soundly defeated, 16-6.

Returning from retirement for Newport USA was former 4-goal great and captain of the undefeated English team, William Crisp, in the #4 position, anchoring USA’s defense and padding their lead with two goals in the first chukka and goals in the second, third and fourth. In the #2 position, visiting Chilean team captain Don Felix Garrido, gave USA a big lead with 3 goals in the first chukka before being replaced due to injury. USA captain Dan Keating, in the #3 position, matched Crisp’s scoring with goals in the first, second and third chukkas and two in the fifth. Substituting in the #2 position was Mark Wright, a seafood wholesaler, who added goals in the second and fourth chukka to USA’s tally. Providence attorney Aram Schefrin and PR woman and president of the Newport Women’s Polo Association, Mary Weaver Rose, alternated in the #1 position.

High goaler for Sea-Band International, Felix Garrido, Jr., the clutch defenseman of the visiting Chilean team playing in the #4 position, was contained by the USA defense to a pair of goals in the fifth and one in the sixth chukkas. Also from the visiting Chilean team, Raphael Garrido, lead off the scoring with a goal in the first chukka. Alternating in the #1 position were Jim Zinsky, a Boston contractor, and Lt. Cmdr. EZ Baker of the US Naval War College. Veteran player, Jon Kaye, a Boston developer in the #3 position, scored in the third chukka. Dave Bullis substituted for Felix Garrido, Jr. during a portion of the match.