The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship presented by Rady Children’s Hospital concluded here at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego with the United States defending its title on home soil with a 10-7 victory over archrival Canada in front of a crowd of 15,112.
The gold medal game was another back-and-forth epic battle and marked the USA’s first back-to-back title since 2002 and third clinched on home soil.
More than 82,000 fans attended the 107 games over 11 days of competition, which was broadcast in a record 190+ countries.
World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr said: “Congratulations to the United States, and all of the participating teams on an incredibly competitive and compelling world championship. People around the globe consumed this event at record levels, showing us truly how far the sport has come. Thank you to the city of San Diego, San Diego State University and the University of San Diego for being stellar hosts, and to Joe Tsai and the entire organizing committee for their tireless work on behalf of the sport.”
Brennan O’Neill, the lone collegiate player on the USA’s star-studded team, was the story of the championship game with five goals, including the go-ahead goal to make it 5-4 in the third quarter and a clutch goal with just over two minutes remaining to restore a late two-goal lead. He was named the MVP for the championship, finishing with 15 goals and five assists to tie for the most points on the U.S. team.
Michael Sowers added two goals in the championship match, and goalkeeper Blaze Riorden slowed the potent Canada attack with eight saves.
Josh Byrne tallied three goals and an assist for Canada, which claimed the silver medal. The full gold medal game story can be found here.
Earlier in the day, the Haudenosaunee dazzled for one final time in San Diego, defeating Australia 11-6 in the bronze medal match. The Haudenosaunee have now claimed bronze in the last three men’s championships, each time defeating Australia.
Austin Staats and Lyle Thompson were the stars of the show as Thompson had three goals and an assist, and Staats finished with three goals.
Staats finished his eight-game run in San Diego with 30 goals and 38 points, the most in the tournament, earning him the award as best attacker of the championship. The full bronze medal game story can be found here.
The 14th edition of the men’s championship featured the top 30 teams from around the world.
Heading into today’s medal games, World Lacrosse had amassed 16 million digital media impressions, with 4 million video views and 25 percent channel growth since the start of the championship.
Final Standings
1. United States
2. Canada
3. Haudenosaunee
4. Australia
5. Japan
6. England
7. Israel
8. Jamaica
9. Italy
10. Puerto Rico
11. Germany
12. Ireland
13. Hong Kong, China
14. Netherlands
15. Philippines
16. Mexico
17. Scotland
18. France
19. Wales
20. Poland
21. Latvia
22. Peru
23. Czech Republic
24. Sweden
25. New Zealand
26. Korea
27. Switzerland
28. Austria
29. Denmark
30. Uganda
