The start of a new World Cup cycle is a time of optimism. There are new players to observe, and perhaps some new tactics to try out. All of a team's dreams, especially for one as talented as the United States women's national team, are possible.
Reality has a way of crystallizing the difficulty of the challenges ahead, however, and so it went for the USWNT in a disappointing 0-0 draw with Czech Republic in the SheBelieves Cup opener for both teams in Los Angeles.