At the SheBelieves Cup, England has arrived as a world power house

On a breezy Tampa Bay afternoon, the English Women's National Team, ranked fifth in the world, arrives at the mammoth Raymond James Stadium for a final training before their much-anticipated match with the USA. The team acts, plays, and holds themselves in the same professional manner as their three counterparts in the inaugural SheBelieves Cup.

Their road to the SheBelieves Cup, however, is very different.

Just two years ago England were barely the fifth best team in Europe- let alone the world. They were coming off a bad performance at the UEFA finals, and players were voicing their discontent with long-time manager Hope Powell.

With the Women’s World Cup nearing, the FA chose to move in another direction. In retrospect, it was probably the best change of course in FA women's history.

A New Coach

Mark Sampson was appointed as England's head coach in December 2013. A then 31 year old,.the Welshman had made a name for himself by taking his undersized Bristol Academy club to the massive FA Women’s Cup Final, Upon arriving, Sampson brought an infectious energy best described as Robin Williams in Dead Poet’s Society.

Carpe diem, indeed.

Sampson's energy began to show results, as his team turned heads by winning the 2015 Cyprus Cup ahead of their miraculous journey to the Women’s World Cup semi-final.

A New Player

Jodie Taylor has been the face of England thus far at the SheBelieves Cup. Highlighted by major news sources, and featured on the American broadcast, it would appear Taylor is a mainstay.

And the attention is deserved. In one of the most important goals in England Women’s soccer history, Jodie Taylor capitalized off of a Lauren Sesselmann mis-hit to give England a 1 - 0 lead over Canada in front of 50k screaming fans.

Yet at 29, the exceptional talent was only making her World Cup debut after being snubbed by Hope Powell for years. Knowing what we know now, this March 2015 video is a testament to perseverance.

A New Mentality

Asked about the biggest difference between the English side from a year ago, Sampson pointed to a heightened self-belief.

“Fundamentally they’ve got more belief…when you win football matches, and this is an England team that going to the world cup had never won a knockout game at the World Cup, never got beyond the quarterfinal stage, you begin to believe," Sampson continued "now when we play we have a genuine belief that we can beat anyone."

Their play against the Americans certainly matched that statement. The English went blow for blow with the Americans, utilizing high pressure and looking the better side for many portions of the match. But for a world class strike from Crystal Dunn, England would most certainly have come away with a point.

An Inspiration

Many have mocked and mangled the message behind the #SheBelieves Cup this week. But, In a tournament built on self belief, the English may just be the biggest inspiration for the young girls that filled the stands.