2025-11-04 19:06

Looking back at the 2019 Women's World Cup, I still get chills remembering how the US Women's National Team completely dominated the tournament. As someone who's analyzed soccer strategies for over a decade, I've rarely seen such clinical execution under pressure. What struck me most was how they managed to make victory look inevitable, even in situations where, as we saw in that reference about close games, "all five games could have gone either way."

I remember watching their opening match against Thailand and thinking this team was different. They didn't just win 13-0 - they maintained their intensity and focus throughout, treating every minute as crucial. That mentality became their trademark. When other teams might have relaxed after securing advancement, the USWNT kept pushing, scoring 18 goals in group stage alone while conceding exactly zero. The statistics tell part of the story - 26 total goals scored, with Alex Morgan netting 6 and Megan Rapinoe's 3 goals in knockout stages proving decisive - but numbers alone can't capture their psychological dominance.

What really impressed me was how they handled pressure situations. Unlike the Elasto Painters who "lost grip of a 13-point lead," the American women never seemed to panic when challenged. Against Spain in the Round of 16, when the score leveled at 1-1, they didn't fracture. Instead, they doubled down, with Rapinoe converting two penalty kicks under immense pressure. That composure separated them from previous US teams and current competitors. I've always believed that championship teams aren't defined by how they handle easy wins, but how they respond when things get tough.

The semifinal against England perfectly demonstrated their tactical flexibility. When England equalized, many teams would have crumbled. Instead, the USWNT adapted immediately, with Christen Press coming off the bench to score the winning header just minutes after entering the game. That depth of talent was something I haven't seen in women's soccer before - having world-class players available as substitutes changes everything about how you approach games.

In the final against Netherlands, the Dutch strategy to disrupt their rhythm actually worked for about 60 minutes. But here's what separates champions: they find ways to win even when their primary strategies are contained. Rapinoe's penalty breakthrough and Rose Lavelle's stunning solo effort weren't accidents - they were the products of relentless pressure and belief in their system. Having studied numerous championship teams across sports, I can confidently say this USWNT had that rare quality of making their own luck through superior preparation and mentality.

Their dominance wasn't just about talent, though having players like Morgan, Rapinoe, and Lavelle certainly helped. It was about creating an environment where every player understood their role and executed under pressure. While other teams might have "lost grip" of advantages, the USWNT consistently strengthened their position when it mattered most. That 2-0 final score doesn't reflect how tightly contested that match was, but it perfectly captures their ability to deliver when everything was on the line.

Reflecting on their campaign, what stands out to me isn't just the trophy, but how they redefined women's soccer. They combined technical excellence with mental toughness in a way I haven't seen since. The 2019 USWNT didn't just win games - they mastered the art of championship mentality, turning potential defeats into definitive victories through sheer will and preparation. That's why, even years later, their performance remains the gold standard in women's international soccer.

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