Has the U.S. been winning their World Cup matches? Yes. Have I been impressed? No.

That is, not until yesterday.

I’ve been following the US in the Women’s World Cup, witnessing win after win from sheer skill, not from the passion, effort, and spunk I’ve come to expect from the team.

Yesterday, I saw that passion.

At first, I bit my nails as the U.S.’s starting lineup flashed onto the screen: names I recognized, but didn’t expect; definitely skilled, but young.

Abby Wambach was not there, although Megan Rapinoe was back from her yellow card. I remember former coach Pia Sundage’s comments about wanting to have Abby come off the bench in this World Cup, had she still been head coach. This could provide a strategic boost; Abby has become so well known for her inspirational leadership that I can imagine her coming off the bench in late stages of the game, pushing the team to victory, if needed.

However, in the match against Germany, I saw a second benefit of benching Abby: letting these young, hungry players work, and ultimately proving themselves with results. 

In the first five minutes, bit my nails a bit harder. Germany looked like a relentless pressure cooker. If that kind of pressure lasted the majority of the 90 minutes, the U.S. would surely lose. Add to this Germany’s goalie, Nadine Angerer, one of the only female goalies in the world I consider on par with Hope Solo. And, instead of Wambach, who has been captain in every match prior to USA v. China, Carli Lloyd wore the armband.

Not moments after Germany lost a scoring opportunity on a PK (from what seemed to be a crack under pressure), Lloyd stepped up to take a penalty for the U.S. I was confident she would make it. This is the player who focused on her legacy during this World Cup. Lo and behold, making that penalty resulted in a 2-0 win that will surely be part of it.

I was surprised when O’Hara came on as a sub, but was ultimately grateful. She had a beautiful, goal-scoring finish with an assist from Lloyd. Before our very eyes, players who haven’t been seeing many minutes are now this team’s engine.

The U.S. has proven time and time again that is a second half team. They’re peaking, and quickly, especially compared to their previous performances.

I don’t think they could be in a better position entering Sunday’s final match, 7 p.m. on FOX.