A moment to celebrate the past, a glimpse into the future. The United States women's national team's September camp was a unique one, as two legends said goodbye while several hopefuls showed why those icons don't need to be too worried about how the next generation will fare without them.
This was it for Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz, who played their final USWNT matches against South Africa to conclude history-making careers. Both are irreplaceable, on and off the field. Both are legends, born-winners, legitimate superstars. Those don't grow on trees, even for the USWNT.
But, as Rapinoe and Ertz say goodbye, a new generation is more than ready to say hello. Trinity Rodman is one member of that group, and it was the Washington Spirit star that was the big winner of this camp, as the U.S. ran out 3-0 winners on Thursday and 2-0 victors on Sunday. Rodman scored in both games, solidifying her place as one star of the future in an attack full of them.
It wasn't just young stars who shone, though, as several familiar faces made their case to both interim boss Twila Kilgore and the next permanent head coach, whoever that may be. The 2024 Olympics are just around the corner and, while Rapinoe and Ertz won't be there, the U.S. may be just fine, even after this most recent World Cup mess.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the September camp...