KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Amy Rodriguez and Becky Sauerbrunn arrived in Kansas City this week with their focus somewhat split.

The veterans of the U.S. women's national team understand the importance of the four-team Tournament of Nations, which begins with a match against Japan on Thursday night. And they surely remember losing to Australia in the event last year — the last time the squad was defeated in any competition.

But the national team stalwarts also understand that qualifying for next year's World Cup looms in October. And after their debacle at the Rio Olympics, they want to avoid any...