Filipinas had closed-door scrimmage with World No. 1 US —report

It was not publicly known at first but according to a report, the Philippine national women's football team held a scrimmage against the three-peat-seeking US women's national team in New Zealand days before the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The US team is the world no. 1 in women's football and has 14 World Cup first-timers in their lineup, such as 21-year old Trinity Rodman, the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman. The team is led by captain Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan, along with women's football star Megan Rapinoe.

According to a report by ESPN, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski made the decision to include Savannah DeMelo in their lineup after having a closed-door scrimmage against the Filipinas.

"Savannah DeMelo, a player who made the World Cup roster without having ever played for the U.S., was a surprise choice to start in the midfield, too. Before the match, Andonovski suggested the choice was based on her recent form, including a closed-door scrimmage against the Philippines here in New Zealand," the report written by ESPN's Caitlyn Murray said.

No specific date was mentioned about the said scrimmage, but the Filipinas arrived in New Zealand on July 10. The team also had a closed-door unofficial friendly against Sweden a week after their arrival.

In their opening match against Vietnam, the Americans won 3-0.

The Philippines fell to Switzerland in their World Cup debut, and will face New Zealand next on Tuesday.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News