CHESTER, Pa. — A raw Wednesday night on the banks of the Delaware River marked 100 days until the Women’s World Cup for the U.S. national soccer team, the start of a symbolic countdown to defending its crown in France.
After two years of tinkering with formations and positions, introducing young players and phasing out some older ones, the top-ranked Americans embarked on a three-month trial of eight games, all at home, most against France-bound opponents.
It’s a good thing the 2-2 draw with eighth-ranked Japan occurred now and not this summer because the Americans paid for their mistakes and, despite a decent overall display, let victory slip away in the dying moments.