NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- With country music vibrating throughout Geonis Stadium, the only thing more heart warming than southern comfort food was the moment rookies and veterans of the U.S. women's national team shared on the field.
Sunday was a night to remember, as Emma Sears became one of four players in U.S. soccer history to score a goal and chip in an assist in her first-ever cap, contributing to a 3-1 victory over Iceland. And on top of that, legend Kelley O'Hara was honored at halftime for her contributions to the U.S. team. It was an evening in which new members of the squad were woven into the starting lineup, and set up to become the new faces of the team.
Facing Iceland for the second time in three days, the USWNT's lineup was completely different than their first match on Thursday. Seven out of the 11 players were new faces, and only three of Sunday's starters had more than 30 career USWNT appearances. Mallory Swanson was celebrated for winning her 100th career cap (in the Olympics gold-medal match), and exuded a new level of maturity and leadership with the captain's band on her arm.
"Just to be able to lead this team, I think that there's obviously been so many great leaders in the past, and to be able to do that in any capacity I was able to, I was going to do that to the best of my ability," Swanson said post-game.
Now, Swanson is teaching her ways to the newcomers, leading by example and showcasing the ruthless attacking energy of the USWNT front line.
"I'm just super proud of all the people that made their debuts, players that don't have as much experience and getting more experience underneath them," she said. "It's all a learning process, so just super proud of the group."
Sears could hardly speak after the game because of utter shock and excitement over her first cap. Her welcome to this level moment was obvious by the pace of the game, telling INDIVISA, "The speed of play, for sure. But, being around such amazing teammates, they helped me through it."
Lynn Williams, who came off the bench and chipped in a goal and an assist, couldn't let a moment go by without speaking on behalf of her teammates.
"Everybody is so dynamic, everybody is working so hard," Williams said. "[Sears] deserves to be here. First assist, first goal, first start - it's incredible. We just have so many young talented players coming up."
The night was wholesome for many reasons: An 100th cap ceremony, a retirement nod, young rookies stepping up, but also just the juxtaposition of this being a celebration tour - the U.S. won its fifth gold medal in Paris over the summer - but also a transition period for the USWNT.
As new faces continue to come through camps, and fresh energy takes off all over the field, more experienced players such as Swanson and Lindsey Horan will be shaping and transitioning this team to the standard established over the decades.