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, this tournament stood out not just for the quality of play, but for the fascinating preparation stories that emerged from team camps. The Australian coach's comments about their training regimen particularly caught my attention - "We are trying to get maybe about, if we can, 18 practices together including two-a-day practices. We are hoping to get 18 practices including friendlies before we actually get into the first game proper on August 5th." That level of preparation intensity told me we were in for something special.

The tournament kicked off with Australia facing Brazil in what turned out to be an absolute thriller. I recall watching Sam Kerr's incredible four-goal performance that basically redefined what we thought was possible in women's international soccer. The way she dominated that match - it wasn't just the goals but the timing and variety that made it unforgettable. Meanwhile, the United States and Japan were engaged in their own tactical battle, with the Americans eventually prevailing 3-0 in a match that showcased their defensive organization just as much as their attacking prowess.

What made this tournament particularly memorable for me was seeing how different teams approached their buildup. Australia's intensive preparation with those 18 practice sessions clearly paid dividends, especially in their stunning 4-2 victory over Japan. You could see the chemistry and fitness levels were superior to teams that might have taken a more relaxed approach to preparation. The US team, while always formidable, seemed to struggle initially with finding their rhythm, which makes me wonder if other nations were starting to close the gap through more sophisticated training methods.

The final matchday delivered drama that even the most optimistic fan couldn't have predicted. Australia's 6-1 demolition of Brazil was simply breathtaking - I've rarely seen a team so thoroughly dominate a quality opponent at this level. The Americans needed to beat Japan by at least three goals to have any chance at the title, and they delivered with a comprehensive 3-0 victory that showcased their championship mentality. The mathematics of it all was fascinating - both Australia and the US finished with identical records, but Australia took the title on goal difference, which honestly felt like a fair outcome given how both teams performed throughout the tournament.

Looking back, the 2017 Tournament of Nations represented a turning point in women's international soccer. The quality across all four teams - USA, Australia, Japan, and Brazil - demonstrated how the global game was evolving. For me personally, it was Australia's emergence as a genuine powerhouse that left the strongest impression. Their strategic preparation, that intensive 18-session buildup the coach had emphasized, translated directly into the confidence and cohesion we saw on the pitch. This tournament proved that in modern women's soccer, success isn't just about having talented players - it's about how you prepare them, how you build that team chemistry, and how you peak at exactly the right moment. The memories from those matches still resonate today, reminding us why international tournaments capture our imagination like nothing else in sports.