Short takes

• The U.S. women's national team started the SheBelieves Cup with a 1-0 victory against Germany. Despite the four-team tournament's awkward name, it should be a marquee event; with the U.S., Germany, France and England, it matches up four of the top five women's soccer teams in the world. The Americans will always be the favorites, since they're both top of the rankings and playing at home. But three wins would still be an impressive achievement.

• This year's standard-bearers for MLS in the CONCACAF Champions League will be Dallas and Vancouver, who will face Liga MX teams in the semifinals. Dallas will play Pachuca while Vancouver will face Tigres. Both MLS teams will be underdogs. The league desperately hopes that one of them can succeed.

• National Women's Soccer League Commissioner Jeff Plush announced that he will be leaving his post, a surprise move just one month after the league announced a long-term TV deal with Lifetime. Plush endured a lot of criticism for not pushing the league further in terms of attention and sponsorships. His successor inherits a league with a good foundation but needing a significant push to reach the next level.