Sunday, August 6, 2023

Epic World Cup failure: USWNT dynasty ended by Sweden

This is the earliest exit the U.S. women's national soccer team has ever made at a major tournament and of course it came against Sweden.

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Sports

Sun Aug 6 2023

 

Lindsay Schnell  National Correspondent, Portland

The U.S. women's national team is out of the World Cup. Read that again.

In a stunning, heartbreaking ending, the USWNT lost to Sweden 0-0 (5-4) on penalty kicks, sending Sweden to the 2023 World Cup quarterfinals and sending the U.S. packing. That it was Sweden, a familiar foe, hurts even more.

After Kelley O'Hara missed a penalty kick for the U.S., Sweden's Lina Hurtig approached with a chance to send her team to a quarterfinal game against Japan. Initially, Alyssa Naeher appeared to deflect Hurtig's shot, but video assistant referee showed the ball rolled back across the goal line by millimeters, giving Sweden the win on penalties after a scoreless draw in the round of 16.

This is the earliest exit the USWNT has ever made at a major tournament.

What you missed

USA humbled by Sweden, again: The end of the U.S. women's national team dynasty was as embarrassing as it was quick. The two-time defending champions came to this World Cup with a chance to make history as the first team, men's or women's, to win three consecutive titles. Instead, they made history of a wholly different sort with their earliest exit ever at a World Cup or an Olympics.

Couldn't get up early? Take a look at our live updates and catch up on all the drama and postgame comments.

You gotta see this

The Round of 16 game was probably the best the USWNT had played the entire World Cup, but they still couldn't score. It wasn't because of lack of opportunities, either. The Americans got lots of decent looks, but Sweden's goalkeeper Zećira Mušović made terrific save after terrific save. She was absolutely the player of the match.

Need proof of how good Mušović was vs. the USWNT? Take a look at the videos below. This is just a small sampling Mušović's incredible play − can she do the same vs. Japan in the quarterfinals?

Quote me on that

"They suck. They're cruel."

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan, on penalty kicks, after the U.S. was knocked out of the 2023 World Cup

The Essentials

How to watch the World Cup: Fan guide to the 2023 World Cup
Who's favored to win the World Cup if U.S. is out: Betting odds for the 2023 World Cup
Complete schedule: Every match for the 2023 World Cup
Add games to your calendar:  Don't miss a match with our World Cup tracker
Did you see that?! Five most impressive goals of World Cup group play
World Cup preview:  A PDF version of our keepsake print preview with illustrated cover

Aug 6, 2023; Melbourne, AUS; United States forward Trinity Rodman (20) reacts after missing a shot wide of the Sweden goal in the first half of a Round of 16 match during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-717059 ORIG FILE ID: 20230806_jel_usa_041.jpg

Even with significant injuries and an inexperienced World Cup roster, this is a USWNT failure of epic proportions, columnist Nancy Armour writes.

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