One week into the Olympics, Team USA is finding itself in a bit of a pickle. Despite the massive hopes pinned on the athletes to collect an impressive stash of medals, the reality is that they have fallen short of their ultimate goal: to outshine every other nation in the medal count. Who would have thought that a country known for its sporting prowess would be trailing behind teams from Norway and Italy? It seems like the Olympic glory is a little harder to grasp than anticipated this year.

Right from the start, the absence of some big names from Team USA has raised eyebrows. Lindsey Vonn, a powerhouse in downhill skiing, took a tumble that left fans gasping. Then, there was Khloe Kim, who, despite being one of the top contenders in women’s snowboarding, also found herself hitting the ground instead of the podium. And let’s not forget Michaela Shiffrin, who, despite all her accolades, struggled to keep up. Perhaps the most shocking moment came when Ilia Malanin, the golden boy of figure skating, finished in a surprising eighth place after being the favorite. It’s as if the universe decided to sprinkle a little chaos into the competition.

While it may sound like a gloomy story for Team USA, it’s not all doom and gloom. There have been rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds. Breezy Johnson defied the odds and snatched gold in the downhill event, proving that perseverance can lead to fabulous outcomes. Not to be outdone, Elizabeth Lemley pulled off a jaw-dropping performance in the women’s mogul event and took home gold as well. What’s more, the US women’s hockey team is absolutely dominating their opponents, making it feel like they’ve got a secret sauce for success.

And let’s talk about speed skater Jordan Stoaltz. This guy’s a well-oiled machine, and the countdown is on as he aims for more medals. With two golds already under his belt, he’s got the chance to snag up to three more. If anyone can keep Team USA’s spirit buoyant, it might just be Stoaltz, putting the pedal to the metal and, hopefully, zooming toward even more Olympic glory.

Now, while the medal counts may not paint the prettiest picture for Team USA overall, there is one category where they’re running strong: silver medals. It seems Team USA is excelling in the “almost” department. They may not be collecting gold left and right, but they’re sure racking up the shiny silvers. It’s a testament to their hard work and determination, even if they’ve had to settle for the second best this time around. Whether Team USA can turn the tides and start collecting those coveted gold medals is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure—sportsmanship and resilience are shining brighter than ever.