Coming away from the USA's Captain's Run on Friday, the main impression is that the Eagles are loose.

The intensity still will be there, but the slight air of worry appears to be gone. The players ran their warmups and drills, and then were goofing around, laughing, playing baseball, kicking (even players who had no business kicking), and in general, smiling.

USA vs Uruguay March 2 10 p.m. ET, LIVE on FloRugby

That's a good thing. You know the feeling when you're dreading something and either it happens, or it almost happens and you're forced to actually face it? That's the USA team after Brazil. They seemed to have finally backed off from having too many chips on their shoulders, and are ready to play with a little enjoyment.

And fans should be happy about it. LIkely the Eagles will win this on the outside, and it's hard to think that Los Teros can match the likes of Blaine Scully and Marcel Brache on the wings.

"I remember Marcel from when he played with the Stormers," said new USA defense coach Jaque Fourie. "He has improved massively over the last couple of year [and] his leadership is a great value."

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And that's not to mention Paul Lasike and Bryce Campbell, who were consistently solid against Brazil and former the backbone of the USA attack. Gary Gold has selected Will Hooley at fullback to counter the Uruguay kicking game, and expect Hooley and flyhalf Will Magie to alternate between positions during those kicking battles.

Uruguay will want to exert dominance up front, and have brought in six new starting forwards who boast a total of 302 caps among them. That's adding to the 105 of the two players not replaced—captain and flanker Juan Manuel Gaminara, and hooker German Kessler. The message is clear: savvy, power, experience, and tight five play.

But the USA has Joe Taufete'e back (and slinging the leather).

And they seem to have a fresh attitude.