Back on the test-match-winning road, the USA pulled out another historic 30-29 victory Saturday, marking the eight-straight full international win for Eagles head coach Gary Gold.

What might be lost in the aftermath are the difficulties the Eagles have had to contend with leading up to the clash with Samoa.

Watch USA vs Samoa On-Demand

First off, every time the Eagles play a major nation, we hear about how this star or that experienced starter was left at home. This wasn't (insert "Scotland, New Zealand, Ireland") really, it was their B side, or C side. It's an annoying trope that ignores the fact that great rugby nations have depth, and that often the player you've never heard of is a major international star a year later.

Thanks to everyone for all of the support. Proud of the result, but even more proud by the character of the group... Team played tough, gave full effort and never quit. #EaglesUnited pic.twitter.com/3g3LPB6fpN

— Blaine Scully (@BlaineScully1) November 11, 2018

And at the same time, we never hear people lamenting the loss of key players on the USA side. But the Eagles have had a slew of injuries in the front row, culminating in Eric Fry being ruled out of the November tests. As a result, they had to start Paul Mullen, a fine player but one who received a nasty cut on his head early in the Maori All Blacks game - a cut so bad it was still bleeding through his head bandage a week later.

How about a ? for our newly capped Men’s Eagles ? #EaglesUnited ?? pic.twitter.com/Nwi6wiTgzA

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 10, 2018

The Eagles were without Samu Manoa, who is only just back to playing fitness with Cardiff, and was not used on Saturday. They were without AJ MacGinty, who was the team's best player during June, because he just had shoulder surgery.

The USA lost captain and fullback Blaine Scully to a bloody nose late in the first half and he didn't return. The starting scrumhalf was 3rd on the depth chart. Starting flanker John Quill was scratched the day of the game due to injury. Oh, and three players made their debut, including a teenager at prop.

Hopefully you get the point. This was a USA team under some pressure, without some players the Eagles rely on, and yet they won the game.

They won it because Gold doesn't allow them to fold. They won it because they ramped up their defense in the second half from minute 41 until the end allowed only three points. They won because they still have players who can turn nothing into something thanks to athletic ability, intelligence, and confidence. Cam Dolan, we're looking at you.

And they won because the tight five, along with honorary member Paul Lasike, won the battle of the gain line.

More please, from all of this.

Notes: Several pairs of players for the USA and Samoa are actually teammates in the professional scene. Scully and Ray Lee-lo play together at Cardiff.

What a great picture of @BlaineScully1 and Rey Lee-Lo! Very proud of both @cardiff_blues and congratulations @USARugby pic.twitter.com/ndVrXZ1cdw

— Cardiff Blues (@cardiff_blues) November 11, 2018

Props Mullen and Logovi'i Mulipola (who had a superb game for Manu Samoa) are on the Newcastle Falcons together. Nick Civetta and Josh Tyrell (both were excellent) are on the Doncaster Knights together. Two Samoa players are at North Harbour, as is Gannon Moore. Hooker Motu Matu'u and center Bryce Campbell are both at London Irish.

Refereeing is important, and French referee Alexandre Ruiz was almost perfect on Saturday. He missed a call here and there, but kept the game under control, threatened, but did not use, his yellow card, and got a fair result. 

The USA is now on to Bucharest to face Romania, a team the Eagles first met in the 1920 Olympics. The USA is 6-2 in the all-time series, but lost 23-10 in 2016 in what was a pretty poor performance. Little-known fact - Romania has never played on US soil.