The U.S. women's national team arrived in Australia determined to get their fifth title in their history and of course, make it a Three-Peat.

With their win over Japan at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and their triumph in France for the 2019 edition of the World Cup, the USWNT entered the tournament as clear favorites. They've always been considered the giants of women's football and always had the upper hand when it comes to International tournaments.

However, their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup group stage results say otherwise. We might be witnessing the start of a new era in which they are no longer the dominant force of women's football.

For the first time since the 2011 World Cup in Germany, the U.S. women's national team finished second in their group.

With 5 points in 3 matches, the U.S. women's national team did indeed pass the first test but things will only keep getting complicated from now on.

First step: a tough Round of 16 match on August 6 against the leader of Group G, most likely Sweden as they are currently sitting on top of it.

The four-times World Champions’ journey started with a 3-0 win in the opener v. Vietnam, before drawing twice: first against the 2019 Runner-ups the Netherlands (1-1), then against one of the eight debutants, Portugal (0-0). The results were just enough to survive the group stage, but something must change if the World Champs want to get far in the competition.

Sharing the points with the two European teams isn't the USWNT's primary concern. Team chemistry, insufficient offensive creativity and a loss of identity are among the squad's most pressing challenges.

When Vlatko Andonovski announced his list of 26 players, little did he know that the team would find itself out of shape, with no movement or patterns of play at all. The absences of Samantha Mewis, Becky Sauerbrunn and Mallory Swanson as well as the head coach's decision to count on 14 World Cup debutants are affecting the team's cohesion.

Against Portugal, the team struggled with building up from behind. The midfield trio (Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan) failed to control the match's tempo. The backline often found itself alone and having to overcome Portugal's pressing.

Logically, Alex Morgan and her USWNT teammates entered the tournament as the favorites to win, but these group stage matches revealed that the team is no longer leagues above the others.

Compared to their 13-0 opener win in the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France against Thailand, the USWNT’s 3-0 win over Vietnam, the No. 32 in the FIFA ranking, came as a surprise: women’s football giants were kicking off their tournament against a World Cup debutant. Everyone expected the U.S. squad to put on a show, but instead, the squad didn’t live up to the expectations. Vietnam's tactical decision to park the bus made it hard for Horan's teammates to impose their style of play.

Their second match was a 2019 FIFA World Cup Final redo, as they faced the Netherlands. A totally different scenario from four years ago. The Dutch simply looked composed, dominant, and at ease. They threatened Alyssa Naeher’s net on many occasions, and deserved to get the three points.

You'd think that roles were switched.

The USWNT’s equalizer only came from a set piece. Scoring from open play seemed impossible.

The cherry on the cake was the decider against yet another World Cup debutant, Portugal. Once again, the USWNT players seemed lost all match long. Portugal was the more likely of the two teams to score, and fortunately for the World Champions, the Portuguese team repeatedly failed to find the net.

Undoubtedly, the most remarkable moment of the match was Ana Capeta's shot, which was narrowly saved by the post during stoppage time. The defending champions came incredibly close to booking a flight back home.

With only four days at his disposal, Vlatko Andonovski faces the challenge of his lifetime as a coach. Crucial changes are needed. He is yet to find the ideal starting eleven and his tactical setup needs adjustment.

The USWNT finish their group stage with 5 points.

The fewest in their entire FIFA Women's World Cup history.