That team photo behind the “qualified” banner will have to wait, as the USA lost 15-14 to England in the third-place match at the Amsterdam 7s.

Neither side played a fully fluid game, but England was able to compensate for a few penalties and knock-ons by stealing possession in contact. The Eagles were a little off offensively, a few passes hitting the ground, and England had the speed to chase down breakaways.

The USA was better composed on the sideline, avoiding being pushed into touch and able to steal possession when England lobbed a panicked ball back inside. Joanne Watmore was particularly guilty of the hasty throw-in back inbounds, and Bui Baravilala stole the first of her missteps and moved it to Kristen Thomas and then Katie Johnson. The prop had enough time to pass to Alev Kelter, but waited that extra second, and the tackler got a hand on the ball to send it dribbling toward the scrumhalf. Kelter smartly ran it back into traffic to reset the offense instead of forcing the ball wide right in front of the USA’s try zone.

The Eagles held onto the ball and moved it to Kelly Griffin on the sideline. The captain fended Amy Wilson Hardy and pulled away, but Wilson Hardy stuck with it and made the pursuit tackle to delay the immediate score. England was later penalized for sealing, and Megan Bonny tapped through. The defense sat and watched for the pass, but the prop simply split two players for the unchallenged score, converted by Baravilala, 7-0.

England stifled a couple of momentum-building opportunities with another sealing penalty and knock-on, but it countered with some turnovers in the scrum and tackle. As the half ticked away, Kelter scooped up an English knock-on and quickly ate up advantage. Thomas popped to a looping Kelter, who sped to midfield and hit Johnson in support. But a “not releasing” penalty gave England one last chance to avoid the first-half shutout.

England worked it through the hands and looked to score as Watmore had two unguarded teammates outside her; she went into contact instead and the ball ricocheted off her knee. Emily Scarratt recovered the ball and Marlie Packer - who was the difference-maker for England - put a monster fend on Bonny to score, 7-5 into the half.

The USA and England split the first two minutes of the second half, exchanging possession. Kate Zachary came on for Bonny at prop, and the Eagles restarted with a scrum. A promising break from Thomas was recalled for an accidental shepherding penalty, and England quick-tapped for a good run into USA’s end. Wilson Hardy made good meters down the sideline, and as England secured the ruck, Zachary let impatience get the best of her and came in from the side. The Roses quick-tapped again, Packer drove to the line, then ball swung wide. Watmore lost her feet but popped to the circling Scarratt for the corner try, 10-7.

The restart was knocked into touch by Scarratt, and the USA put the ball back in play with a nice lineout. The ball worked to Doyle, and Packer made the tackle, and then stripped the ball. It moved wide to Watmore, who pushed off Thomas and slid into the corner. It was the USA’s death knell, as two scores were now needed to overtake England, 15-7.

But the Americans answered right back. Johnson drew a penalty as she was tackled in the air, and substitute Hannah Lopez made good ground out wide. The ball worked back to Kelter in the middle of the field, she considered the deep switch to Zachary but instead split the defense for the centered try. Baravilala made the quick conversion, and there was time for one more restart. But Kelter sent it too deep and it was an easy kick to touch to end the game, 15-14.

A disappointing end, falling two points short of an automatic berth to the Olympics, but the Eagles have shown so much improvement in the second half of the World Rugby series. Progress is still needed, but the USA has restored confidence that a medal in Rio 2016 is well achievable.