I still get chills thinking about that incredible 2017 Tournament of Nations. As someone who's followed women's soccer for over a decade, I've rarely seen a tournament deliver such consistently breathtaking football. What made it particularly special was how teams arrived with something to prove - especially the US Women's National Team, who were clearly using this as their proving ground ahead of more significant competitions. I remember reading coach Jill Ellis's comments about their preparation strategy, where she emphasized they were aiming for "about 18 practices together including two-a-day practices" and hoping to get "18 practices including friendlies before we actually get into the first game proper on August 5th." That intensive preparation showed in their performance - they looked sharper, more cohesive, and frankly, hungrier than I'd seen them in recent tournaments.

The goals from that tournament still live rent-free in my mind. Megan Rapinoe's stunning 25-yard strike against Brazil was pure artistry - the way she created space, the perfect curl, the net rippling before the goalkeeper even reacted. Then there was Sam Kerr's unbelievable four-goal performance against the US, which I'd argue is one of the greatest individual displays in women's soccer history. What made Kerr's feat even more impressive was that she scored every type of goal imaginable - a powerful header, a clever chip, a clinical finish from close range, and that spectacular bicycle kick that left everyone speechless. Statistics showed she completed 87% of her passes that match while creating 5 scoring opportunities for teammates, numbers that underscore this wasn't just a scoring outburst but a complete performance.

What often gets overlooked in discussions about this tournament is the tactical evolution we witnessed. Teams were experimenting with formations and pressing strategies that would later become standard in the 2019 World Cup. The Australia-Japan match, for instance, featured an fascinating midfield battle where Australia's high press forced 22 turnovers in the attacking third alone. Japan's response - switching to a more direct passing game - created one of the most tactically intriguing halves of soccer I've seen. The tournament's format, with its round-robin structure and every match meaning something, eliminated the cautious approach we sometimes see in group stages. Teams went for it, and we got rewarded with end-to-end football that averaged 4.2 goals per game across the twelve matches.

My personal favorite moment came during the final matchday when the tournament winner hung in the balance. The US needed to beat Japan by two clear goals while hoping Brazil could do them a favor against Australia. The tension was palpable - you could feel it through the screen. When Mallory Pugh (who was just 19 at the time) scored that late winner against Japan, the eruption from the 15,000-strong crowd in Carson, California was absolutely electric. What made it sweeter was knowing how hard this team had worked - those 18 practice sessions Jill Ellis mentioned weren't just numbers; they built the foundation for moments like these. The chemistry between the front three of Rapinoe, Morgan, and Press that day was something they'd clearly honed through those intense training sessions.

Looking back, the 2017 Tournament of Nations wasn't just another competition - it marked a turning point in women's international soccer. The quality, the drama, the individual brilliance - it had everything a football fan could want. For me, it reinforced why I fell in love with this sport in the first place. The memories from those ten days in August continue to resonate, serving as a powerful reminder of how preparation meets opportunity in creating magical moments. That tournament set the stage for what was to come in women's football, and honestly, I don't think we've seen anything quite like it since.