Two steps ahead for Manchester United in New Jersey and Chicago.
But a big back in the wrong direction in the big peach – and the first indication that the problems of the last term cannot disappear from one day to the next.
Twice, through a Bruno Fernandes -Penalty and then a beauty of Mason Mount, United was first and wanted to make it three on the trot while they lifted summer series silverware.
With Bruno in a rotating attacking Trident next to new recruits Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, there was plenty to be enthusiastic about when United was on the ball.
But the defensive shortcomings that the Ruben Amorim team undermined last season last season again emerged in the beautiful Mercedes-Benz Stadium, problems that should be tackled if United really has to go in the right direction.
The shock of Manuel Ugarte was punished by Iliman Ndiaye when Everton first looked much more on a side of David Moyes in the US.
And even after the curl of Mount's curls, more Cataclysmic defense with Ayden Heaven debited with his own goal that he couldn't do anything about when Amad Diallo crashed the ball wild against him.
Although United will certainly not be short of goals this season, this was a warning that they might not be better equipped to stop sending them on the other side.
Amorim can teach all culture, unity and spirit in the world.
But if you have a midfield that feels more like a donut than a wall – with a large hole in the middle – there is only one outcome.
This was united in Jeckyll and Hyde mode.
In the future, with Fernandes, Cunha and Mbeumo, given the freedom to change position, United offered enough.
Cunha, still looking for his first united goal, could have had it twice in the first 16 minutes.
First the Brazilian, found by the rapidly starting Amad Diallo and rising in the box, produced over the face of the goal with the outside of his left shoe before half a chance was blocked.
In between, however, Everton should have been in front, with right-wing back Jake O'Brien who hit the pole when Altir Bayindor beat a James Garner-free staircase directly on his path.
United was dangerous in transition and was 18 minutes in front – although it seemed like a debat decision.
All-Action Mbeumo's excellent first time inverted Diallo sent in the box and when his attempted ball came back to him for James Tarkowski, he made the most out of his shirt shoulder to go down.
Thomas Bramhall, equipped with ref cam in front of the TV viewers, immediately be on the spot, much to the disbelief of Tarkowski.
It was one that a VAR officer might have looked at for a long time, but not in the summer series, Fernandes, stepped up to find the bottom corner when Jordan Pickford was rooted.
United as a club has put their confidence in Manuel Ugarte, one that seemed misplaced everywhere and especially when his basic error allowed Ndiaye to deliver.
The Uruguayan was caught in a criminal in possession when he tried to walk out of his own box and the instant switch of Idrissa Gana Gueye did not find Ndiaye marked to send back along Bayindor on the Half Volley.
Indeed, when Kobbie Mainoo made a horlicks from Garner's Lange Worp, O'Brien Everton could have led the front shortly.
Mbeumo, in a pre -planned movement, made room during the break with Patrick Dorgo Op, Diogo Dalot uses well and Amad plays further ahead.
Everton asked more questions, Leny Yoro saved Matthijs de Ligt when Beto appeared on his way to the goal.
Mount, however, changed the mood in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium when he plays Brunos in the inner card to give a beauty about Pickford and in the far corner.
Not long. Fernandes was busy with a push game halfway through an ugly wipe when Ndiaye ran away to feed replacement Tyler Onyango, with Amad's interception that only brought an ignorant deflection from heaven that just brought to the United.
Dorgu, played by Mount, could have Innoppen, Rasmus Hojlund kicked the post in the frustration that his colleague Dane had not chosen him. United would not have earned that. Enough to work on.