QUALIFICATION? CHECK. The United States women's national team secured its spot in the 2015 World Cup with a 3-0 win over Mexico on Friday night in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The victory came on the back of two first-half tallies from Carli Lloyd and a second-half strike from Christen Press. Here are three thoughts from the match.

Was this Ellis' Best XI?

Since Jill Ellis took over the squad in April, the starting lineup for the U.S. has changed frequently. However, on Friday, with World Cup qualification on the line and with the team having had three full days of rest since its last group stage match, it could easily be assumed that Ellis would put her best XI on the field.

That said, two key players, Abby Wambach and Becky Sauerbrunn, were on the bench. Up top, Megan Rapinoe and Sydney Leroux were preferred in the No. 10 and No. 9 positions, respectively. In the back, Whitney Engen and Christie Rampone were given the starts in central defense.

There is a reason why Carli Lloyd pops her collar.

— Over There (@socceroverthere) October 24, 2014

The choice of Rapinoe and Leroux up top wasn't shocking, but the absence of Wambach in such an important game may have finally signaled the slow changing of the guard for the U.S. attack. Leroux, playing as the U.S.'s lone center forward, was active and created a number of opportunities for her teammates—including assisting on Press' goal in the second half. However, Leroux also struggled with her own finishing hitting both the crossbar and a post before being withdrawn in the 62nd minute.

When Wambach did come on for Leroux, the all-time international goal-scoring leader didn't fare much better as she failed to properly connect on two gorgeous passes across the face of goal and finished the night goalless.

In the back, it wasn't surprising that Rampone started, considering that she was sitting on 299 international caps, but it was a bit surprising that Engen was given the nod over Sauerbrunn—especially when you consider that Sauerbrunn has arguably been the best center back in the world over the past year.

I'm just sitting here considering how much pain I would be in after 300 caps and debating whether Christine Rampone is a robot. #USWNT

— Ryan Rosenblatt (@RyanRosenblatt) October 25, 2014

Holiday Ran the Show, But...

There's no question that Lauren Holiday, once again sitting in the No. 6 role for the U.S., is running the show as the U.S.'s deep-lying playmaker. Again on Friday, Holiday started the vast majority of the U.S.'s attacks either by switching the field, or by pushing into the attacking third and looking to play balls in behind Mexico's defense for the U.S.'s front three.

All of Lauren Holiday's passes from the first half. #USAvMEX pic.twitter.com/2Mg2fz0m40

— Devin Pleuler (@devinpleuler) October 25, 2014

Against Mexico, Holiday once again delivered dozens of passes to the flanks that opened up the attack and allowed the U.S.'s wingers to have their way with the Mexican back line and deliver service after service into the area. However, Holiday also wasted possession far too often and, uncharacteristically, missed her target out wide on many occasions.

Where Does This Leave the U.S.?

Although the victory over Mexico helped the U.S. avenge its 2010 World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico, it still came by a smaller margin than many expected. In fact, just last month the U.S. defeated Mexico 8-0 and 4-0 in back-to-back friendlies.

Until the U.S. plays a higher level of competition and, especially one that doesn't try and bunker for 90 minutes, the team won't really know how to gauge its level, and important questions will remain. Can Rapinoe be the No. 10 the U.S. needs? Will Meghan Klingenberg outperform Kelley O'Hara against world class competition? Is the 4-3-3 formation the answer?

It also remains to be seen whether the U.S. can dominate possession the way the Ellis envisions against teams like Japan, France, Sweden, and Germany.

On the bright side, U.S. fans can be happy with the performances of Klingenberg, Press, and Tobin Heath thus far in the tournament. Despite the lower level of competition, Klingenberg has looked excellent, Press has put together several dominating performances, and Heath, after a long spell of unspectacular form, has finally showed those moments of flair that made her such a key part of the U.S. squad in 2011 and 2012.

For now, the U.S. can simply enjoy the fact that it has qualified for the 2015 World Cup and will play Costa Rica in the CONCACAF final on Sunday.

John D. Halloran is an American Soccer Now columnist. Follow him on Twitter.