The USA men's sevens team produced a massive turnaround to open the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and will look to get a top four finish, or better, on day two.

The Eagles were so much more polished in Cape Town compared to Dubai (where they went 0-5). They opened pool play against New Zealand and utterly dominated that game. New Zealand couldn't get anything going offensively, and the USA forced the All Black 7s players into mistakes.

With the ball, the Eagles looked like a different team from a week ago. They were stronger in the tackle, controlling contact so they could offload, and in the rucks they were smarter - releasing the ball and regathering after standing back up — and much, much more physical.

This produced more consistent possession. With that possession, the Eagles passed much more, with Madison Hughes setting the example by mostly catching and passing, allowing his teammates to run to space. Carlin Isles torched New Zealand from long range, and then scored another on a quick pick-and-go. 

Ben Pinkelman scored on another that was set up by a rollicking run from Danny Barrett, and Maka Unufe's race to the line capped off a 22-0 shutout of New Zealand.

Against Australia the Eagles gave up a soft try early, and then Isles scored three times in three different ways - a long run using his blinding speed, a power run through a tackle, and just walking over after hands through the line - to make it 17-5 at the break. The Eagles cruised 31-14.

And in the final game it was more of the same, with Spain being dropped 26-5. In that game, Kevon Williams got his first try after coming in as Perry Baker's replacement. Isles, who scored five tries in the first two games, missed his chance when he was free and clear on a 98-meter run, and dropped the ball. The USA still won comfortably. 

From 0-5 to 3-0 is quite a change, and it came with discipline, and aggression throughout the team. 

The USA plays Argentina at 6:10 AM ET on Sunday. After that, it's either France or Canada.