After the U.S. women’s national team shockingly failed to medal at the 2016 Olympics, the team went through a period of reconstruction.
Head coach Jill Ellis brought in a host of new faces and tinkered with several different formations as she searched for a winning formula.
Naturally, there were some ups and downs. After a 1-0 defeat to Australia in July 2017, the USWNT had lost three home games already in the calendar year. It was clear a change was needed.
Editors' Picks
The following game, Ellis lined her team out in a 4-3-3 formation against Brazil.