Most major tournament cycles for the U.S. women's national team follow a familiar script: Play in a number of tune-up friendlies and tournaments. Win handily, for the most part. Endure a close call or defeat that all tout as a valuable and needed learning experience.
Three months before the Olympics, and headed to the site of their last defeat, the U.S. women are essentially following that to a T.
Saturday's 1–1 draw at Sweden was a wake-up call and the first non-win of the 17-game Vlatko Andonovski era. Although the U.S.'s unbeaten streak was extended to 38 in all thanks to Megan Rapinoe's late penalty, the performance wasn't up to the U.