2025-11-04 19:06

Looking back at the 2019 Women's World Cup, I still get chills thinking about 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 their ability to maintain control in situations where, as we saw in that reference about the Elasto Painters losing a 13-point lead, games could have easily slipped away. The USWNT never let that happen.

I remember watching their opening match against Thailand and thinking this team was different. They didn't just win 13-0 - they kept pushing, kept perfecting their formations even when the victory was secured. That mentality carried through every match. In the knockout stage against France, arguably their toughest opponent, they demonstrated what separates champions from contenders. While other teams might have collapsed under the pressure of 45,000 screaming French fans, the Americans treated it like another training session. Their 2-1 victory wasn't just about skill - it was about psychological fortitude.

The statistics tell part of the story - 26 goals scored, only 3 conceded throughout the tournament - but numbers can't capture their dominance. What impressed me was their adaptability. Against England in the semifinal, when the Lionesses pushed hard in the second half, the US defense held firm. Alyssa Naeher's crucial penalty save against Steph Houghton wasn't just luck - it was the result of countless hours studying opponents' tendencies. I've spoken with several coaches who confirmed the USWNT's video analysis sessions were the most detailed they'd ever seen.

Their final against the Netherlands demonstrated their tactical maturity. For the first 60 minutes, the Dutch held them off, but the Americans never panicked. They kept probing, kept testing weaknesses until the dam finally broke. Watching Megan Rapinoe's calm penalty and Rose Lavelle's dazzling solo effort, I realized this was a team that understood the tournament isn't about winning every moment, but about winning when it matters most. Unlike teams that lose grip of comfortable leads, the USWNT specialized in applying constant pressure until opponents cracked.

What many casual observers miss is how their dominance extended beyond the field. Their media presence, their commercial impact, their cultural relevance - everything aligned perfectly. Having followed women's soccer for years, I can confidently say we witnessed something special in France. The 2019 USWNT didn't just win matches; they elevated the sport itself. Their legacy continues to influence how teams approach tournament preparation today, proving that true dominance requires excellence in every aspect of the game.

« News Releases