The most demanding and prestigious stretch of the high-goal season in the United States reaches its boiling point. This Wednesday, at the National Polo Center, the semifinals of the U.S. Open Polo Championship — the third and final leg of the Gauntlet of Polo — will be played. It will not only determine the finalists of the most important tournament in the American calendar, but also shape the competitive closing of a season marked by parity and the prominence of the sport's biggest stars.
The semifinal lineup presents two matchups with clearly defined identities. On one side, La Dolfina/Tamera, the defending U.S. Open champion, will face BTA, a team that has steadily grown in consistency throughout the tournament and features Tomás Panelo — champion of the U.S. Open in 2024 — as its standout figure. On the other side, Pilot — winner of the recent USPA Gold Cup — will take on Coca-Cola in a clash that promises speed, experience, and an open finish until the final chukkers.
La Dolfina/Tamera arrives carrying the weight of recent history and the pressure of defending the title won in 2025. The team retains three players from last season: Adolfo Cambiaso, Alejandro Poma, and Diego Cavanagh. Naturally, Adolfo Cambiaso, who has just turned 51, remains a tactical and technical reference on the field. His ability to control the tempo, organize play, and step up in decisive moments cements his role as the team's competitive axis, supported by high-caliber teammates who sustain the team's structure. Diego Cavanagh's experience provides balance, while the team maintains a clear identity: intensity, precision, and game awareness in high-pressure situations.
However, BTA does not arrive as a mere spectator. Their run in this year's tournament has shown collective solidity and adaptability. With Tomás Panelo as one of their key figures, the team has managed to compete against more established lineups, building their strength on teamwork and organized defense. That balance is their main asset in challenging the defending champions. They reached this semifinal with three wins and just one loss, having advanced directly to this stage without playing the mini quarters — something both La Dolfina/Tamera and Pilot had to do.
Pilot, meanwhile, emerges as one of the most in-form teams of the season. Their triumph in the USPA Gold Cup — the second leg of the Gauntlet of Polo — not only confirmed their potential but positioned them as a real contender for the U.S. Open title. With a dynamic and aggressive approach, and with Camilo Castagnola as their driving force and decisive player, Pilot has displayed scoring power and depth in rotation. Their confidence is on the rise following their win over DUS Polo — momentum that often proves decisive at this stage of competition.
On the other side stands Coca-Cola, a team that combines experience with high-impact individual talent. The presence of Polito Pieres always represents a constant offensive threat, capable of breaking games open through individual plays or quick combinations. Alongside him, Julián de Lusarreta adds energy and versatility, shaping a team that, even if not the favorite on paper, has enough tools to prevail in a tight contest — especially after also advancing directly to the semifinals, just like BTA.
The context of the 2026 Gauntlet of Polo adds another layer of intrigue. The series, organized by the United States Polo Association, has already produced two different champions: Dutta Corp. claimed the C.V. Whitney Cup, while Pilot lifted the Gold Cup. This distribution of titles reflects a season without a dominant force, increasing the importance of the U.S. Open as the definitive stage to settle the balance. The winners this Wednesday will secure their place in the most important match of the U.S. season: the grand final on Sunday, April 26.
