If Vlatko Andonovski was under any illusions as to the scale of the challenge he's got in front of him. Namely, preparing the United States to defend their World Cup title next summer in Australia and New Zealand, all those doubts would have been quickly dispelled during his team's loss to England at Wembley on Friday night.
The truth is, he probably won't be that surprised. The golden age has all but ended, as evidenced by the Olympic Games' failure last summer. This 2-1 defeat merely confirmed it.
The USWNT has, for a long time, held the upper hand in this rivalry, even if recent matches have begun to get closer between the two. On the trajectory each team had been on, it was inevitable that the Lionesses would soon catch up - and even surpass - the reigning world champions.
READ MORE: England vs USWNT player ratings: Bronze and Stanway shine as Lionesses beat world champions
That day has arrived.
The Lionesses boast a settled line-up with quality in abundance. They deserved their victory here - on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the England women’s national team. From the opening minutes - when Lauren Hemp put the hosts ahead - it felt like the USWNT would have a difficult time even hanging with them, let alone putting them to the sword and making a statement.
This is very much a team in transition; only three players who started on Friday started the 2019 World Cup semifinal against the same opponents. So many of the sides which claimed the last two World Cup titles - not to mention the Olympic gold medals and various regional and minor tournaments - have moved on or are in the process of moving on.
This is not yet a fully-formed unit. Players like Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma will, in time, perhaps become world-class and part of a successful USWNT group. But maybe that day will be further off in the future than once previously expected.
It’s clear that the USWNT will not be entering next summer’s World Cup as the standalone favourites. There are plenty of teams besides England - Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, France, Sweden, Canada and Australia, for example - who will look at the current state of the USWNT and feel that their shield of invincibility is fading.
England dominated here - in terms of possession and shots - and made the USWNT look inferior. Players who have stepped in where legends have departed - such as Andi Sullivan - are struggling to make an impact. Some of those legends who are still around - like Megan Rapinoe - are currently showing form, which suggests the World Cup might be a tournament too far.
There are individual errors blighting the output; witness Alana Cook’s intervention on Hemp’s goal and Hailie Mace’s ill-advised kick on Lucy Bronze for the penalty.
With Smith in the team, of course, there is always a chance of scoring a goal, but Andonovski would prefer a team firing collectively on all cylinders. There are encouraging signs that the press is working - witness Lindsey Horan robbing Georgia Stanway for the Smith goal - but those moments were few and far between. Worse still, the USWNT had to stand off England for long spells in both halves as the hosts dominated possession and sought inroads. It’s jarring to see such a once-dominant team on the back foot.
The USWNT pack up from Wembley and visit Spain next Tuesday. Admittedly, La Roja will be under-strength given the current protests involving the players and the national football association. But after that, it’s back-to-back games against Germany in November. Now that England has shown the way, others may follow.
It’s not crisis time for the USWNT, but it’s a major reminder that they are not going to have it all their own way down under next summer. If they are going to claim the World Cup yet again, well, it might well be their toughest challenge yet.
READ NEXT:
England vs USWNT highlights: Hemp and Stanway score as Lionesses down the world champions
Rafael Leao makes Reece James Chelsea confession amid England World Cup conundrum
Denis Zakaria makes Thomas Tuchel admission and names Chelsea star that shocked him in training
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
Wesley Fofana, N'Golo Kante: Chelsea injury news and expected return dates ahead of Wolves
