One year ago, Emily Sonnett was on her way to Australia, on the outside looking in on the U.S. Women’s National Team; Tobin Heath was trying to get back to full health; and Lindsey Horan was still growing into her role in head coach Jill Ellis’ central midfield.
It was a different landscape for Portland Thorns FC’s three regular U.S. internationals, who enter this week’s Concacaf Women’s Championship better positioned to make an impact on their national team. For one player, the potential for five games that will come over the next 11 days will be about trumpeting her claim to a first XI spot; for another, the tournament continue a year-long ascent to a similar, starting stature; while for a third, a competition which also serves as 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying offers a chance to transfer domestic-league dominance to the international realm.