Todd Clever does actually remember what it was like to beat Canada, having been on the team in 2009 that defeated the Maple Leafs, and having been on the team in 2005 that be a them, also.

He knows also that sometimes on paper the USA really looks the stronger team, and yet it doesn't happen.

"We have had some opportunities to beat them, but this is a huge rivalry, and it's the sort of thing where a bounce of the ball, a good play on their side, or a mistake on our part, has made the difference," Clever told Goff Rugby Report. "We made mistakes in this game, too. We gave up a couple of soft tries, but you have to kind of forget those and just get the job done. I think that's what the difference was for us [June 21]. We've all made mistakes. I'm not the kind of guy who will come down really hard on a guy because he made a mistake."

For the USA captain and flanker, the difference between previous games against Canada and this one was the ability to score points (in the previous 11 meetings between the two teams, the USA had been held to 12 points or fewer eight times). The Eagles scored two tries early to lead 18-7 before a series of mistakes and good players from Canada made it 18-35 with 35 minutes to go. That meant, to Clever, that if they kept the ball, the USA could score.

"Canada has a way of punishing us if we make a mistake," said Clever. "I think, though, we didn't panic. We weren't frantic even at halftime. We weren't happy, but we never lost our cool and we knew that if we kept playing we would do well. I back our guys 100%, and I wasn't nervous to go back out there with our guys."

This has been a step forward for the USA. Coming back to beat Canada 38-35 was, along with their comeback 25-23 victory over Georgia in Georgia in November, is an indicator that the team is starting to improve, and play with a little more confidence in each other, even when they screw up.

Now for the Eagles they go off to enjoy a little time off, or into camp. Clever will re-join the NTT Shining Arcs in Japan. They have a new coach, and some new players, so Clever will be getting acquainted with them.

And ahead is a much, much bigger test than Canada. The USA will face New Zealand at Soldier Field November 1 before what promises to be a sold-out crowd. There follows more games in Europe in November, but playing the All Blacks on US soil for the first time in 101 years has a special ring to it.

"All of the boys are really thrilled about it," said Clever. "If you're an international rugby player you want to test yourself against the best. It's going to be huge, from what I hear about ticket sales, and I know everyone is really looking forward to it."

Maybe after the Canada win, they are looking forward to it a shade more.