A few thoughts about the USA’s performance in Dubai:

Did you notice that Mike Friday started Kevin Swiryn and Will Holder in the 3rd/4th game against New Zealand? 

After using only two subs in the last-second loss to England in the semifinals, Friday Nate Augspurger, Will Holder, Kevin Swiryn, and Carlin Isles. He didn’t use Maka Unufe and Madison Hughes at all. 

Why? Well, one of the reasons is that Friday wants to show every player that there’s someone trying to take his place. Friday also has to find out what these players can do in live competition, and they did superbly. Swiryn’s running and aggressive play reminded us of what he was doing 2008-2010 when he led the Eagles 7s team to some of their best finishes.

Will Holder scored two tries against New Zealand - read that phrase again carefully; from a player who was struggling to get into the 1st side at all, he’s now someone teams like New Zealand have to worry about.

Nate Augspurger looked very sharp.

It’s been clear also that Friday prefers Baker slightly more than Carlin Isles, but it’s a close call, and Isles certainly shows his scoring touch whenever he is asked. Baker put in a full 14 and more in the first game against New Zealand, and helped win the game with a gritty score at the end. 

But the message is now set - it’s a carrot and stick thing, really - hey, look over your shoulder, because the next guy is pretty good, too, and to those coming up, you’re expected to do the job and I [coach Friday that is] think you can.

No excuses. Every player beat New Zealand this week.

And so no rest for anyone as Cape Town, and a potential humbling, looms. And the humbling happened already. Why did an Eagle team that seemed to dominate the best at times lose to France? How did they lose the plot, and fall off tackles at crucial moments? 

How did they lose to England when they led with only a couple of minutes to go? Playing for everything every time out is hard, but it is what needs to be done.

Remember also, that 3rd place was almost 9th or worse. Had Zack Test not made that try-saving tackle against Portugal, or had they not kept playing against Portugal and scored late, then France would have beaten them out for 2nd in the pool.

So the line between success and coulda-shoulda is a thin one indeed.