I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2017 Tournament of Nations like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed women's soccer for over a decade, what made this tournament particularly fascinating wasn't just the on-field action, but the incredible preparation stories behind the scenes. The coaching staff's approach to training camp was nothing short of revolutionary - they were aiming for approximately 18 practice sessions, including those intense two-a-day practices, plus friendly matches before the actual tournament kicked off on August 5th. That level of preparation showed just how seriously teams were taking this relatively new competition.

When you look at the actual tournament structure, the scheduling was brutal but brilliant. Teams had just about three weeks from training camp commencement to the final match, creating this compressed, high-intensity environment that produced some of the most exciting soccer I've seen. The US Women's National Team came in with something to prove after their Olympic disappointment the previous year, and my goodness, did they ever deliver. What stood out to me was how those 18 practice sessions translated directly to their on-field chemistry - you could see the understanding between players like Megan Rapinoe and Mallory Pugh developing in real time during those group stage matches.

The Australia match on July 27th was where all that preparation truly paid off. I recall watching from the stands as Sam Kerr scored that spectacular bicycle kick, but what impressed me more was how the US team responded. They'd built this resilience during those two-a-day practices the coaching staff had emphasized, and it showed when they clawed back to secure a 1-0 victory. The defensive organization was noticeably sharper than in previous tournaments - clear evidence that those 18 practice sessions including friendlies had ironed out the kinks that often plague teams in early-season competitions.

Brazil's performance against Japan on July 30th was another highlight that stays with me. The 3-1 scoreline doesn't begin to capture the drama of that match. Marta was absolutely sublime, playing with this freedom and creativity that only comes from being perfectly prepared. I've always believed that the difference between good teams and great teams comes down to preparation, and watching Brazil's seamless transitions from defense to attack demonstrated exactly why those 18 practices mattered so much. Their third goal in particular - started from their own penalty area and finished with clinical precision - was the kind of move that only comes from hours of drilling those patterns.

The final matchday on August 3rd created one of those magical soccer moments I'll never forget. The US versus Australia rematch had everything - end-to-end action, spectacular goals, and that palpable tension you only get in tournament finals. What struck me most was how fresh the players looked despite the compact schedule. The US team's 6-1 victory wasn't just about superior talent - it was about superior preparation. Those 18 practices including two-a-day sessions had built both fitness and understanding that other teams simply couldn't match. When Christen Press scored that fourth goal, it felt like the culmination of everything the coaching staff had been working toward since training camp began.

Looking back, the 2017 Tournament of Nations wasn't just another competition - it was a masterclass in how proper preparation can elevate teams to new heights. The emphasis on getting exactly 18 practices including friendlies before August 5th wasn't just coach speak - it was a carefully calculated approach that paid dividends throughout the tournament. What I took away from covering that event was this simple truth: in international soccer, you can't fake preparation. Either you put in the work during those crucial training sessions, or you get exposed when it matters most. The 2017 Tournament of Nations proved that beyond any doubt, and set a new standard for how teams approach these compact international competitions.