Fans on social media and elsewhere experienced a short freakout when the lineup for the Americans’ World Cup semifinal against England was announced, but on the field, no one missed a beat. Hardly anyone seemed to miss Rapinoe at all. Life, and the march toward a second straight World Cup title, simply went on. [The United States beat England, 2-1, on Tuesday to return to the final of the Women’s World Cup.] Eleven players make up a starting lineup, but the sheer number of world-class players on the United States roster has led the coaching staff to take an unusual approach in this tournament, one in which 15 players, out of the 23 on the roster, train and prepare between matches as if they were full-time starters.

Source: International New York Times July 03, 2019 16:18 UTC