Matt Coppola* is focused on moving his career forward and now he is one of the highest handicapped American players at 5 goals. Recently raised on the 2020 annual outdoor handicap changes, Coppola’s new rating will go into effect June 2021. He joins a select few players in the country with a 5-goal rating or higher.
“I have never really thought about being a top player in the United States, but it is a nice feeling,” Coppola told CLICKPOLOUSA. “I still have a long way to go in my career but I am excited to keep working to achieve my goals”. Reaching 5 goals opens a door to a new level of polo and it’s new territory with new responsibilities and opportunities. “I had a feeling I would be raised to 5 goals sooner or later and it’s a good step in the right direction,” Coppola said. “The goal is to keep going up in handicap”.
Coppola playing for Tonkawa during the 2020 GAUNTLET OF POLO®. ©David Lominska
2020 was a difficult year for everyone, but Matt Coppola still managed to make the best of it. “2020 was a pretty good year for me,” Coppola remarked. “I started in Florida with Tonkawa in the GAUNTLET OF POLO® at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Then I went to Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club [Carpinteria, California] to play the 16-goal season with Antelope polo team. Currently, I am in Dallas, Texas, at Willow Bend Polo Club playing a 10-goal tournament”.
Much like every year, Coppola intends on traveling to Argentina. “If everything goes as planned, I should be in Argentina November 5, to play for the rest of the season there,” Coppola said. “One day, I would like to play the Copa Cámara de Diputados in Argentina. I think by 2021 it is a really good possibility I just need to get organized and put together a team”.
Antelope’s Matt Coppola during the 2020 Pacific Coast Open. ©David Lominska
However, before the 2021 Argentine season, Matt has an important commitment in the United States. “In 2021 I will be playing the 22-goal GAUNTLET OF POLO® in Florida with Park Place, alongside Andre Borodin, Hilario Ulloa, and Juano Britos,” Coppola revealed. “I am really excited to be able to play with one of the biggest organizations in the world at the moment and in my opinion probably the best.”
*Matt Coppola is a graduating member of Team USPA. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.
INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH