The opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday at Mong Kok Stadium, where the semifinals and final will also be held, but the USA must first get through the group stage.
Twenty teams were divided into four groups based on their 2019 ranking and balanced by continental association. The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
The USA is number 1 in the world rankings and is in Group A with Germany (8th), Puerto Rico (9th), China (14th) and Israel (17th). The Americans’ schedule in the group (all times US Eastern):
Friday, August 16 – USA vs. Germany – 8am
Saturday, August 17 – USA vs. Puerto Rico – 8am
Sunday, August 18 – USA vs. China – 5am
Tuesday, August 20 – USA vs. Israel – 5am
After the group matches, the teams are re-seeded for the playoffs. The best teams in each group are seeded 1-4 and the second-placed teams are seeded 5-8, depending on their results. Possible decision criteria are goal difference (maximum 12 per game), number of goals conceded (fewest) and, if necessary, a coin toss.
The quarterfinals will take place on Wednesday 21 August, followed by the semifinals on Thursday 22 August and the medal matches on Saturday 24 August.
Fans in the U.S. can watch all games on World Lacrosse’s new streaming service, WLTV.
The USA Lacrosse content team is in Hong Kong with an all-access pass for the U.S. team. Follow us on Instagram and check back here at USA Lacrosse Magazine for stories as the games begin.
