Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/16/10
Team USA opens play today in the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships against Australia at 7:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) in Manchester, England.
The parade of 30 nations at the opening ceremonies Thursday was the largest ever.
But missing were the players of the Iroquois Nationals who remained stuck in the US mired in a passport dispute that prevented their entry into the U.K.
The Iroquois delegation, consisting of five members of the coaching and support staff, received much support and applause from the other teams and a standing ovation from the crowd.
The opening ceremony included comments from Mark Hackett, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, and several FIL officials, including David Mardsen, head of the FIL World Championships Steering Committee, who noted the absence of the Iroquois.
The opening ceremonies also included an announcement that Team Germany would move up into the Blue Division and play the Iroquois team’s scheduled games. Germany fell to host England, 12-3, in Thursday night’s opening game.
Should the Iroquois team arrive in Manchester before the conclusion of the tournament, they will participate in the Plum Division.
The US squad, expected to challenge defending champion Canada for the crown, will now meet Germany on Sunday in its third game, rather than Iroquois.
Team USA features goalie Brian Dougherty (Episcopal Academy, formerly of Philadelphia Barrage, Penn assistant coach), long stick midfielder Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco, formerly of Barrage, member Philadelphia Wings), defenseman D.J. Driscoll (Malvern Prep), midfielder Kevin Cassese (Lehigh head men’s coach), and face-off specialist Alex Smith (University of Delaware).
Team USA Blue Division schedule
Jul 16, 2010 vs. Australia 7:30 pm (subtract 5 hours for EST)
Jul 17, 2010 vs. Canada 7:30 pm
Jul 18, 2010 vs. Germany 4:30 pm
Jul 19, 2010 vs. England 7:30 pm
Jul 20, 2010 vs. Japan 1:30 pm
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