The first U.S. women’s national soccer team match of the year was notable not for the entirely predictable outcome, a 4-0 victory against understaffed Colombia on Monday in Orlando.
Or for midfielder Sam Mewis completing a hat trick a minute into the second half, her sister, Kristie, scoring late, or the Americans running their home unbeaten streak to 49 over 3½ years.
The world champions’ return blended old elements and new. It’s 2021, and there was Megan Rapinoe, 38, starting on the left flank and Carli Lloyd, 35, starting at striker.
At the start of the second half, there was the debut of attacker Catarina Macario, the best player to come out of college soccer in some time.