John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday was a time-old tradition for the United States women’s national team in the World Cup cycle: the sendoff game, a paradox that is the last official match before the big show.
Just as the world’s attention begins to fully converge upon the United States women, just as the scrutiny dials up a few levels, they play a game filled with the pomp and circumstance of a championship but with the meaning of, well, a friendly.
The U.S. defeated Wales, 2-0 on Sunday, behind a pair of late goals from second-half substitute Trinity Rodman. Her first was the culmination of a nice combination play between the three U.S. forwards on the field at the time, while her second was a sublime finish into the upper corner.
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