US Open Polo Champions Teasure. L-R Mike Azzaro's arms hold US Open Trophy Cup aloft Wife Amy, Daughter Allie and Son Hunter.
ZACARUS US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONS 2013
Story by Ron Allen Photography by Sheryel Aschfort
With shear determination and a solid game plan Zacara upset Valiente in the finals of the U.S. Open. The determination came from, former 10 goaler, Mike Azzaro (7) who gave 100% in spite of being injured in a game just four days earlier. The game plan was to shut down the “double back” option play which Cambiaso and Sterling had developed so well this season.
Photography by Sheryel Aschfort www.thepolopaparazzi.com
Captain of Zacara US Open 2013 Winners Lyndon Lea, flanked by his elated team players on his right Mike Azzaro and Magoo Laprida, and on his left Facundo Pieres.
Both teams traded goals and the lead several times throughout the hotly contested title match. Valiente with a one goal lead at the end of the first chukker. Santi Torres (6) with a 200-yard run to goal, under pressure, to tie the game at 5 all at the end of two. Valiente took back the lead by half time 8 to 7.
Facundo Pieres (10) with three goals in the fourth, including an impressive 100 yard goal to put Zacara back in the lead 10 to 9. Several fouls were called against Valiente as the result of the tactics used by Zacara throughout the match. The game was tied eight times and a tenacious defense by Zacara held Valiente scoreless in the final chukker.
Photography by Sheryel Aschfort www.thepolopaparazzi.com
Several fouls were called against Valiente as the result of the tactics used by Zacara throughout the match
Photography by Sheryel Aschfort www.thepolopaparazzi.com
There was controversy near the end of the game when officials gave Valiente a mid-field penalty shot when Cambiaso felt it should have been a 60 yard penalty four. In frustration he struck the ball and walked off the field. The interpretation of where the ball should have been placed was the subject of much debate among spectators following the game. Lyndon Lea’s Zacara team went on to win the Open for the second year in a row 16 to 13 on 12 goals from Pieres.
Photography by Sheryel Aschfort www.thepolopaparazzi.com
"Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly" 
Rabii Benadada
