The SheBelieves Cup has concluded, and NWSL preseason is upon us. Despite an arduous defeat by France, the U.S. hosted (and created) event saw four players from the Chicago Red Stars see time on the pitch throughout the tournament. While the opening game gave us optimism for the matches ahead, many were left with the same positive outlook from tournaments past - the U.S. would have a slow start. They would get better, get stronger, and win, as the tournament went on.
However, the opposite of that happened. They did not overwhelm other teams with their superior fitness.