COLUMBUS, Oh. — In many ways, Thursday was a beginning. Of a restart and a transition. Of a new coach’s reign. And of a journey that the U.S. women’s national team hopes will end atop a podium in Tokyo, with Olympic gold, next summer.
But Thursday, in many other ways, was a continuation. Of a dominant run that included a World Cup title, but didn’t conclude with it.
Vlatko Andonovski took charge of the USWNT for the first time on Thursday. But if you hadn’t followed news of his hire or introduction, and if you hadn’t peered over to the U.