USA spent much of the year on home soil but recent trip to Europe provided valuable experience on and off the pitch
Since the United States lifted the World Cup in Canada in 2015 their journey towards next summer’s title defence has been littered with potholes. This year, however, something has clicked. They have won 18 of their 20 matches – draws against France and Australia in the SheBelieves Cup and Tournament of Nations respectively came in friendly competitions that they won – and despite the progress of their competitors it is hard to look past them retaining their crown.
USA have spent much of the year on home soil but the decision to bring the team to Europe for their final games (1-0 victories this month against Portugal and the first-time World Cup qualifiers Scotland) and plans for another European double-header in January seem a shrewd move to prepare for an intense six weeks in France next summer.
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