Samoa too strong for Eagles
The teams scored a try each in a tight first half, but Samoa were able to pull away from the Americans after half-time to secure the win.
Samoa captain Ofisa Treviranus scored a battling try and Tusi Pusi kicked four penalties as Samoa stayed comfortably ahead of the Americans throughout the game in Brighton.
"Our discipline was excellent today and the boys were brilliant," said the captain after both teams knelt and said prayers together following the final whistle.
Predicted big hits quickly materialised after the start with American centre Thretton Palamo leaving opposite number Rey Lee-Ho shaken on the turf in less than a minute. Lee-Ho was sent for a head assessment.
A scrappy opening few minutes, with the Samoans largely testing the USA defence resulted in a penalty to the Pacific islanders and flyhalf Pisi slotted it over for 3-0.
Pisi turned creator in the 20th minute. He produced a delightful grubber kick behind the American defence for fullback Tim Manai-Williams – cousin of All Black Sonny Bill Williams – to run onto and touch down for his first try for his country.
Pisi failed to convert to leave the score 8-0 but added a penalty seven minutes later for 11-0 with the Americans once again penalised. The famously ill-disciplined Samoans by contrast had yet to attract referee George Clancy's ire.
However, when Samoa came under pressure for the first time Clancy awarded the United States a penalty after a Samoan went offside. Ireland-born flyhalf AJ MacGinty converted it for 11-3.
MacGinty, who sprang from the same alma mater as iconic Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll Blackrock College, showed he is not just there for kicking as his vision created a superb try after the US won a Samoan lineout.
He took the ball just outside his 22 and burst through the Samoan defence before offloading to Seamus Kelly, who cut inside and found captain Chris Wyles who went over for the try but MacGinty sent his conversion wide.
The Americans, though, again donated points to the Samoans with an infringement and Pisi added the three points for a half-time 14-8 lead.
The Pacific islanders extended their lead early in the second-half Nanai-Williams ripping the ball free of wing Takudzwa Ngwenya close to the Americans tryline.
The ball ran loose and Treviranus picked it up and went over the line – Pisi's curates egg of a day with the boot continued as his conversion attempt came off the post.
Pisi and MacGinty exchanged penalties to see the score tick over to 22-11 with just over 20 minutes to go.
The game began to peter out with 15 minutes remaining, a succession of set pieces prompting the crowd into a rendition of 'Sweet Chariot' to keep themselves entertained.
Samoa left the Americans needing two converted tries to even force a draw with 10 minutes remaining as Mike Stanley – who had replaced Pisi — kicked a superb penalty from wide out on the left for 25-11.
They scored one try as replacement Chris Baumann went over but MacGinty failed to convert.
Man of the match: Samoan captain Ofisa Treviranus imposed himself while Eagles speedster Takudzwa Ngwenya caught the eye whenever given some space, but the best player was Tim Nanai-Williams who looked a threat every time he touched the ball.
Moment of the match: Both of Samoa's tries were impressive, but they do not compare to the try that USA captain Chris Wyles scored which started in their own half and saw a number of players handle the ball.
Villain of the match: There were none.
The scorers:
For Samoa:
Tries: Nanai-Williams, Treviranus
Pens: T Pisi 4, Stanley
For USA:
Tries: Wyles, Baumann
Pens: MacGinty 2
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (captain), 7 Jack Lam, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Iosefa Tekori, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Viliamu Afatia, 17 Motu Matu'u, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Alafoti Faosiliva, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Mike Stanley, 23 Fa'atoina Autagavaia.
USA: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Thretton Palamo, 11 Chris Wyles (captain), 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 6 Al McFarland, 5 Greg Peterson, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Zach Fenoglio, 1 Eric Fry.
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Oli Kilifi, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Cam Dolan, 20 Danny Barrett, 21 Shalom Suniula, 22 Folau Niua, 23 Brett Thompson.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
