GlobalPort bounced back into contention in the US Open Polo Championship on Sunday with a hard-fought 10-7 victory over BTA at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida.
Led by team owner and sports patron Mikee Romero, GlobalPort showcased a well-balanced offensive effort, spearheaded by 10-goaler Bartolome Castagnola.
The Argentinian star delivered a stellar performance, scoring six goals, including all three in the decisive sixth and final chukker. This crucial victory keeps GlobalPort in the hunt for one of the tournament’s eight quarterfinal spots.
The 22-goal tournament, considered the crown jewel of polo in the United States, is the final leg of the prestigious Gauntlet of Polo series, which also includes the C.V. Whitney Cup and the recently concluded USPA Gold Cup.
GlobalPort’s win helped the team recover from a narrow 7-9 loss to tournament favorite La Dolfina/Tamera, the Whitney Cup champion, in last Wednesday’s opening match.
Up next, GlobalPort faces USPA Gold Cup winner Park Place on Saturday in a pivotal battle for a quarterfinal berth in the 12-team competition.
Luck placed GlobalPort in the tournament’s toughest group, often referred to as the “bracket of death,” where teams must face three of the most formidable opponents — including the winners of the first two legs of the Gauntlet — in cross-bracket matchups.
Once again, Castagnola led GlobalPort’s scoring, cementing his status as one of the top goal scorers of Florida’s winter polo season. Nico Escobar, who stepped in for Lucas Diaz Alberdi, added three goals, while 18-year-old Argentinian phenom Beltran Laulhe contributed one.
Meanwhile, Romero anchored a rock-solid GlobalPort defense, thwarting multiple scoring attempts by BTA.
GlobalPort seized an early 2-0 lead in the first chukker and maintained control, leading 3-2 in the second and 5-3 at halftime. However, BTA mounted a fierce comeback, with the combined offensive efforts of 10-goaler Tomas Panelo and 5-goaler Steve Krueger keeping the match tight.
BTA held Castagnola scoreless in the fifth chukker, allowing Krueger to tie the game at 6-6. But Escobar responded immediately, pushing GlobalPort ahead 7-6 heading into the final period.
In the decisive sixth chukker, Castagnola delivered a masterclass in composure and skill. He opened the period with a successful 30-yard penalty shot, but BTA’s 7-goaler Nachi Viana answered with a penalty goal of his own, cutting the deficit to 7-8.
A pivotal moment came when Panelo missed a seemingly easy goal, as his shot struck the left goal post and bounced out. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Castagnola put on a dazzling display of horsemanship, weaving past defenders to score and extend GlobalPort’s lead to 9-7. A final penalty conversion in the closing minute sealed the 10-7 victory.
The win marked GlobalPort’s second triumph over BTA in the Gauntlet series, having previously defeated them 14-8 in the USPA Gold Cup. However, that earlier victory was not enough for Romero’s squad to advance to the quarterfinals of that event.
Despite being a first-time participant in the Gauntlet of Polo, GlobalPort has delivered impressive performances throughout Florida’s winter polo season. The team reached the semifinals of the Whitney Cup, finished as runners-up in the 12-goal Bronze Cup, and clinched the championship title in the Sterling Cup.
As GlobalPort prepares for its crucial showdown against Park Place, Romero remains optimistic about his team’s chances of continuing their strong run and securing their place among the world’s top polo contenders.
“It’s a tough match, but we’ll see,” Romero said.
GlobalPort and Park Place have split their previous two meetings in the Gauntlet. GlobalPort emerged victorious in their first encounter during the Whitney Cup, while Park Place bounced back to win their rematch in the USPA Gold Cup en route to the championship.
Their upcoming battle promises to be a high-stakes clash with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
