On Sunday, the defending champions took on South Africa to start their World Cup send-off series. Here are three takeaways from the USWNT’s 3-0 victory.

On Sunday, the United States Women’s National Team began their 2019 World Cup send-off series against fellow World Cup opponent South Africa. In a commanding performance, the USWNT waltzed to a 3-0 victory.

The match started off in a rather lackluster manner with neither side able to generate high-quality chances. South Africa sat deep and asked a question of the USWNT attack. For the opening periods, no answer came.

But the South African defense could only hold on for so long. Sam Mewis broke the scoreless tie off a ball from Rose Lavelle in the 37th minute for a 1-0 lead. The one goal would be all for the first half until both teams saw waves of substitutes entering the game.

The subs for the USWNT brought in talented and fresh legs, which would pay dividends for the defending champions. Sam Mewis found herself on the end of a perfect ball from substitute Megan Rapinoe to make it 2-0 and Carli Lloyd twisted the final dagger off the bench to give the home side a 3-0 win.

Here are three things we learned.

3. Tinkering in defense

The United States defense was hardly put to work against South Africa, so it is hard to judge how successful the unit would be against tougher opposition. But that didn’t stop Jill Ellis from making changes to the back four.

Starting the match was the expected starting defense: Kelly O’ Hara and Crystal Dunn flanking Abby Dahlkemper and Becky Sauerbunn in the middle. That defense remained intact for the first half until both Dahlkemper and O’Hara were substituted.

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Replacing the defenders was Tierna Davidson and Allie Long, but with Long in the midfield which brought Julie Ertz in central defense, while Davidson played on the left and Dunn switching to the right. Dunn’s presence in the backline is already in question as she leads the NWSL in goals with the North Carolina Courage from a midfield role. Her ability to get up the pitch is remarkable, while concern remains about her ability to contain world-class attackers flying down her side.

And with the possibility of injuries or potential suspensions in France, Jill Ellis saw it necessary to get different combinations in defense. Davidson was tasked with moving from her traditional center-back role in Chicago to moving to the left to make way for Ertz, who dropped back to join Sauerbunn in her usual role. Meanwhile, Dunn continued to learn new positions on the right-hand side.

Although South Africa had little to no quality chances this match, Ellis saw it fit to experiment with the backline before heading to France. The World Cup defense, therefore, is still very much to be determined.