Pan Am Games Preview

Tomorrow morning in Toronto, 14 teams, Men and Women, begin their quest to bring home medals from the 2015 Pan Am Games. For the Women’s teams, this year’s Games mark the first time that Women’s Rugby has been offered at the quadrennial Olympic-style event. Men’s Rugby was played at the 2011 Pan Am Games with Canada taking home the Gold.

Women’s Preview

Participating Teams: Canada, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico

With only six teams in the Games, the Women’s bracket sees all of the teams land in the same pool. Each team will play each of the others once for a total of five matches. At the end of pool play, the teams will be seeded for one-off medal matches. This means that there isn’t any room for slip ups in pool play for any of the teams that have their eyes on Gold. Same goes for the medal matches as there will be little room for error beyond losing to tournament favorites Canada and the USA. The format should make for a fun event as all of the teams will get a look at each prior to the medal round.

As the #2 team on this year’s Women’s World Series, Canada comes into the tournament has the heavy favorite to bring home the Gold. They’re bringing a strong side to Toronto aimed at taking the title at home. Their toughest competition will come from the USA, whom finished 5th on the World Series this past season. They’re riding high after winning the NACRA Championship and booking their trip to Rio in 2016. Brazil has some experience and has made strides in sevens. Colombia is coming off of a sweep at the South American Olympic Qualifier and has some momentum on their side. They’ll need to keep that momentum to get in the medal picture. Argentina and Mexico are both capable sides, but not in the same strata as Canada and the USA. They’ll aim to fight with Colombia and Brazil for Bronze.

Key Pool Matches on Day 1: USA v Brazil, Brazil v Colombia, Mexico v Argentina

Key Pool Matches on Day 2: USA v Canada, Colombia v Argentina

Verdict

It is difficult to picture anyone other than Canada and the USA playing for Gold in Toronto. The two Women’s sevens powerhouses will likely have to face each other twice on Day 2 of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how the two teams come out in their pool match if they have already secured their places in the Gold medal match. Will they come out and lay down a marker or leave something for the final?

While the teams fighting for Gold may seem predetermined, the more interesting side story to follow will be the race to win the Bronze as the remaining four teams in the competition could all make a push. As hosts of the 2016 Olympics, Brazil will have pressure to perform at the Pan Am Games, but the Bronze is up for grabs.

Men’s Preview

Pool A: USA, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico

Pool B: Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Guyana

With eight teams participating, the teams in the Men’s bracket are pooled into the traditional four-team groups. However, the twist is in knockout round as no matter how teams fare in pool play, they will have the chance to fight for a medal. At the conclusion of pool play the eight teams will be seeded into a knockout format. The onus will be on winning in pool play and taking the top two seeds.

USA is riding a two-tournament winning streak as they come into pool play at the Pan Am Games. By order of their higher finish this season, they have gotten the easier pool assignment in Toronto. Pool A teams include the USA, Uruguay, Chile, and Mexico. Uruguay and Chile could surprise while Mexico is developing, but not in the same class. There could be some really good matchups to watch in Pool A. With the #1 seed at stake, don’t expect the USA to hold back anything during pool play. They’ll need to put up points to avoid having to face Argentina or Canada in the semifinals. The question is whether they can do it with a handful of their top stars out of the picture.

Pool B presents a less clear picture as both Canada and Argentina are capable of winning the pool. Argentina finished ahead of Canada on this year’s World Series, but Canada finished stronger. Canada is looking to repeat their Gold medal from 2011. Both sides are in the unenviable position of having to potentially face each other twice to get to the Gold medal game. Brazil, much like the Women’s team, need to show well at the Pan Am Games. Were it not for hosting in 2016 they would not be in the Olympic picture. It is up to them to prove that they belong. Guyana has ability, but won’t have the firepower to compete with Canada or Argentina.

Key Pool Matches: Argentina v Brazil, Uruguay v Chile, Canada v Brazil, Chile v Mexico, USA v Uruguay, Argentina v Canada

Verdict

The USA, Argentina, and Canada come into the tournament as favorites to sweep the medals, in no particular order. It will be interesting to see if teams like Uruguay, Chile, or Brazil can upset that picture. In the short format of sevens, all it takes is one upset in the knockout round to change the tide. The USA has the most clear path to the Gold medal game and will need to take advantage of it. Winning Gold is far from a given for the USA as Canada will be at home and have a more experienced side. Argentina stumbled down the stretch in the World Series this past season, but bounced back to Qualify for Rio at the South American Qualifiers last month. The Pan Am Games will be a test for all teams involved.