Megan Rapinoe was a surprise omission from the USA’s team when the lineup was announced ahead of their Women’s World Cup semi-final clash against England.
The USA have an embarrassing wealth of talent at their disposal and still managed to knock Phil Neville’s side out of the tournament, winning 2-1 in Lyon.
USA head coach Jill Ellis confirmed that Rapinoe was dropped to the bench following her two goals in each of the previous knockout matches to rest a slight hamstring strain.
"I feel we have a deep bench and called upon another player and thought they did a fantastic job," Ellis said.
Christen Press started in Rapinoe’s place, a young player with the capacity to track the dangerous Lucy Bronze, and quickly justified her selection by opening the scoring 10 minutes into the match.
England got themselves back into the game through Ellen White’s equalising goal, but the USA quickly restored their lead through Alex Morgan.
The Lionesses may have taken the game to extra time and potentially penalties, but Steph Houghton’s spot kick in the 83rd minute was saved.
The game going to penalties may have seen the USA turn to Rapinoe, added Ellis.
"There was an outside chance that Rapinoe could take a penalty, so we didn't want to extend ourselves more than we had to,” she said. “Fortunately, we didn't have to go to penalty kicks, but that was an option."
The USA will play the winner of the Netherlands vs Sweden in Sunday’s final.
In the build-up to the semi-final, there had been questions put to the US, the defending champions, about whether they had been showing signs of arrogance, and relating to a visit made by at least one member of their staff to England's team hotel on Sunday.
Jill Ellis dismissed the questions as little more than “external noise”.
"It goes back to the mindset. We're here for one thing. Not external noise. We're here to win the trophy. So everything we talk about and focus on is about that,” she said.
"When you are the premier team, you're always going to have noise, external stuff, to deal with.
"But I'm around the players a fair bit and the conversations I hear are about the game. I think they are professionals."
