Canadian women's soccer team continues its important evolution under coach Priestman

The Canadian women's team's pair of recent friendlies against Australia proved to be much more than a fact-finding tour ahead of next year's FIFA Women's World Cup.

Canada, No. 5 in the world rankings, swept the two-game series against the 12th-ranked Aussies, with forward Adriana Leon accounting for all three of the Reds' goals, capped by Tuesday's come-from-behind 2-1 win at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.

The Olympic champions travelled to the other side of the world not only to test themselves against a top opponent, but also to help them prepare and acclimatize for next summer's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand July 20-Aug. 20.

"Everything we've experienced, it only makes you more and more excited as a coach, as a player, to be part of because you know [Australia is] going to put on a fantastic show at the World Cup," Canadian coach Bev Priestman said after Tuesday's win. "But then you talk about the learnings — jet lag, everything, hotels, stadiums, pitches — it was exactly why we came here.

"I think it's really fitting to start the journey and experience these sorts of moments. It really has got the group, myself, excited about what's to come."

WATCH: Leon sinks Australia with 2 goals:

Beyond collecting valuable intel about the playing conditions Down Under, Canada continued its important evolution under Priestman, remaining true to its core values of being a defensively sound team, but at the same time being more adventurous and fluid in its attacking play.

Over the course of these two games, Priestman deployed an offensive-minded 4-2-3-1 formation, straying from her preferred 4-3-3, with captain Christine Sinclair playing deeper in a second striker role, as opposed to the main striker.