The USA men’s sevens team got some very good news over the weekend, as Perry Baker deservedly took home the award for World Rugby’s Sevens Player of the Year. But a new season is upon the Eagles, and such accolades are fleeting.

The first round of the HSBC Seven World Series gets underway this week in Dubai, with the USA opening the tournament against Argentina on Thursday.

After placing fifth in the World Series last year, the Eagles are targeting a top three finish in 2018 and maybe something big in the Rugby World Cup Sevens. But to do that, head coach Mike Friday believes his team has to be more switched on and aware of little mistakes that can cost them games… and by extension, points in the Series.

This year, Friday will hope to get a full season from Carlin Isles and Danny Barrett (who missed the final two tournaments and was still named to the World Series Dream Team). The coach will also look for more leadership from Stephen Tomasin and Ben Pinkelman — and the return of some injured stars, too.

But watch out for a new youngster in the mix, someone who might harbinger a new-look USA team: Joe Schroeder. 

A product of Royal Irish in Indianapolis, Schroeder went to Trine University, which doesn’t have a rugby team, and he instead took up cheerleading.

Schroeder bulked up during his time in the sport, and the 6-foot-5 former lock/No. 8 in 15s found a chance to return to rugby with 1823 in Ohio. At the Silicon Valley Sevens earlier in November, he got a chance to show why Friday pulled him into the Eagles' sevens lineup. His strength in contact and ability in the air are useful, but he's tough to stop with the ball in hand as well. His first try came against New Zealand and was a perfect example of that skill set, as Schroeder was met well before the line but was able to use his long frame to stretch over.

That’s the sort of player that needs to be on this USA squad going forward — young, hungry, and athletic. Friday hasn’t been able to find anyone with the blazing pace of Isles and Baker to back them up… yet. But he does have players with power.