The USA Men's and Women's teams started in Dubai on a winning note as each won one game on the first day.

USA Women 29 Brazil 7

The Women controlled things nicely against Brazil, and we want you to put any talk of luck away. Yes, true, it was just 7-0 when Brazil seemed to have a 3-on-1 and about four meters to go to score. Kayla Canett intercepted a pass to turn that play around, and Kristi Kirshe got on her horse in support and finished off the length-of-the-field try. That ind of put Brazil away.

But it wasn't luck. The reason Brazil hadn't already scored was because Kelter made a superb cover tackle, and Kirshe added another try-saver of her own. Both were penalized (Kirche incorrectly), and then Canett did what a smart player facing an overlap should do—looked for the pass vulnerable for an interception. If she missed, well, Brazil was going to score anyway.

The women Eagles also have shown a few wrinkles in personnel, with Naya Tapper hitting hard in the rucks, and the powerful, Eti Haungatau out on the wing. It worked. Haungatau's presence shows the USA taking a page out of England's book and bring force and intimidation into the game.

And ... while many of the passes didn't connect it's clear that the Eagle women want to run lots of switch moves and will be looking to change direction. It's a smart play because, once again, they have power and the ability to break tackles.

USA Men 24 Ireland 19

New to the circuit, Ireland is looking like a pretty useful side. They've adopted something of a national identity in their sevens (and fans will hope it doesn't include the 15s team's national identity of biffing it in World championships), and that identity is unapologetically physical and understands the idea of using the ball to create strike opportunities.

OK, very good. The USA has Isles and Baker. And more. Joe Schroeder's dummy and break was like he was Folau Niua, and his nicely-timed pass to Danny Barrett was beautiful. Beautiful also was Maceo Brown's pass off to Baker for a key try in the second half. The other try wasn't exactly pretty, but it was a case of a ton of hard work. 

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But ... some things to be unhappy about. The Eagles had a lineout and a chance to score at the end of the first half—twice—and failed to score. They were very lucky not to give up a try at the beginning of the second half as Ireland's try was called back due to a marginal forward pass (a little over-eagerness perhaps). It was like the USA team was playing nervous even when ahead. 

And Ireland scored two late tries, and sure maybe the game was won then, but was it? We've seen improbably comebacks in sevens before. The USA seemed to relax a bit too much.

Day Two

The Women have Russia and Canada, the Men have Scotland and Australia. All four of those opponents can cause trouble if the Eagles don't have their heads on straight.