The rain poured in Austin and Vera Pauw came ready to face a storm.
Her Republic of Ireland take on the USA tonight in the first of two Stateside friendlies that will serve as crucial World Cup preparation. But there's so much more to this trip than that.
Pauw is back in the USA for the first time since she was named in the Joint Investigative Report which alleged that while manager of Houston Dash from November 2017 to September 2018 she had shamed players for their weight and attempted to exert excessive control over their eating habits.
The Dutchwoman is among eight individuals whose future employment with the NWSL is conditional. The conditions the NWSL have outlined include acknowledging misconduct, participating in training, and demonstrating a sincere commitment to correcting behaviour.
Pauw has strenuously denied all allegations made against her.
She knew hard questions would come her way at Friday's pre-match press conference - and they did, but they were met by a brutally honest response.
A fiercely defiant Vera Pauw faced the media in Austin this evening. @Corktod has the latest ahead of Ireland's friendly against the USA tomorrow night #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/aQnLkKApgZ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 7, 2023
"I have been raped," she said. "I have been sexually assaulted. I have received power abuse, intimidation, isolation, the worst things that a woman can get in an organisation. I am absolutely aware of the power that I have as a coach and that is why I choose the side of education."
Last July Pauw released a statement alleging that she was raped as a young player in the Netherlands. She said she'd suffered abuse and serious sexual assault during her time as a player and coach in Dutch football.
A couple of hours before Friday's match press conference, the FAI announced USA-born Sinead Farrelly had received international clearance and been added to the Ireland squad.
Farrelly only recently signed a one-year contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC after an eight-year absence from the game. Her 2021 allegations against former Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley led to investigations that found widespread sexual abuse and misconduct in the NWSL.
Farrelly, Pauw confirmed, will start tonight, and it's not unrealistic to suggest this is effectively an audition to make the plane for Australia.
Farrelly is a very talented player but after such a long time away from elite football, it's a hell of an ask to step into a game of this magnitude. However Pauw has faith in her ability to shine, saying on Thursday: "She's been out for a long time, she needed to start getting confidence in her body again. It looks like she's there."
There's no doubt manager's strategy of accelerating Ireland's improvement by playing the very best teams recieves its most extreme stress test here.
Two games against the world No 1-ranked USA on American soil is as tough as it gets; after Saturday's clash at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Ireland square up to Vlatko Andonovski's team again on Tuesday at Citypark in Missouri. These may be friendlies, but make no mistake, any flaw in Ireland's setup will be ruthlessly exposed.
Megan Rapinoe - arguably the States' most recognisable name - is missing due to a leg injury, but they are still packed with World Cup winners, including Julie Ertz, back after an extended absence following the birth of her first child.
Alex Morgan, now entering veteran territory, is present, while Trinity Rodman - daughter of Denis - and excellent midfielder Sophia Smith represent an exciting new wave of talent.
Rodman, 20, penned the most lucrative deal in NWSL history a year ago when she agreed a new four-year deal with the Washington Spirits worth around $1.1m (€1m). She has an array of tricks in her bag; she could nutmeg a mermaid, and can create chances from nothing.
Smith meanwhile is a technically superb operator, a brilliant dribbler with a powerful strike.
In February the USA beat Brazil 2-1 to win the four-team SheBelieves Cup for the fourth straight year - their pedigree is obvious, but Ireland are entitled to believe they can least make these games awkward for their hosts.
Pauw's side have lost just once in their last 14 matches, and that came against Russia in the Pinatar Cup when the manager fielded an experimental side. They may not be the most expansive, easy-on-the-eye team around but the Girls in Green are a tough nut to crack.
They're buoyed by the presence of Katie McCabe who was in a leg brace ten days ago after suffering a painful knock when in Champions League action for Arsenal against Bayern Munich. She recovered in sensational fashion to start their league clash with Manchester City just three days later and smash home a spectacular winning goal.
It's also a special night for supreme midfield general Denise O'Sullivan. The Cork woman will win her 100th international cap in Austin; she's been given the captain's armband for the occasion.
"It's amazing, an absolute honour to play for my country and as I said, I dreamt of this since I was a kid but to be going on to get 100 is something really special," O'Sullivan said.
"I think all of us will be a bit nervous, they are the best team in the world. But for me, I'm nervous going into every international game because I love my country so much and I love playing for this team so much. To the younger girls, I would say to enjoy the moment, it's going to be an incredible atmosphere."
There'll be around 20,000 fans in Austin tonight, and it should be pretty raucous. The USA like to put on a show in front of their supporters, and there's some intriguing subplots that add an edge to these two games.
After the low-key draw with China in February, it feels like things are about to go up several nothches for Pauw and Co.
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland on Saturday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
