In any pool where there is strong potential for a three-way tie at 2-1 you want to do everything you can to run up the margin against the minnow. The US certainly did not do that as a sloppy performance limited them to just a 16 point margin over an outmatched Portugal side on Friday. The contest was never in doubt as the US dominated possession from the start. Give credit to the Portugal defense which was respectable all match long and kept the US from scoring with ease. Too many sloppy passes and dropped passes from the US will have to be improved on moving into matches against Argentina and Australia on Saturday.

The US got their opening try from Martin Iosefo and a second in the first half on a spectacular Perry Baker try (is their any other kind?) before giving up their only points of the match to lead 14-5 at the break. Being held in check most of the second half the US eventually got seven more, all thanks to Madison Hughes, to finish with a 21-5 lead. New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner did not make his debut in this match.

In the other pool C match Australia with 14 first half points on the way to a 28-0 win. The US should be able to lock up a cup quarterfinal spot by beating Argentina in their first match on Saturday at 12:48 AM ET but a loss could see them in trouble heading into the final match of the day against Australia at 5:10 AM ET. Live stream is available on the World Rugby Website.