THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
The US Women's National Team's bid for a historic third straight World Cup title is over at the second round stage, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out loss to Sweden Sunday.
It was a heartbreaking moment for the players, especially those for whom it was likely their last trip to a major tournament. That includes the face, and often the voice, of the team, Megan Rapinoe. The star who has led the fight for the game's players – on many fronts – was one of three American penalty takers to miss, as Sweden prevailed and advanced to the quarter-finals.
The two-time defending champions were not at their best in the tournament, causing some very public reactions from past players and analysts. The US started the group stage with a comfortable 3-0 win over Vietnam, with young prospect Sophia Smith getting two goals and captain Lindsey Horan the third. However, in an ominous foreshadowing, Alex Morgan's penalty was saved. Their second game was far more competitive, as expected, against one of the other favorite nations. The Netherlands took an early lead and for large parts of the game were in control. It wasn't until inside the last 15 minutes of the match that Horan scored an equalizer to put the USA back on track and virtually lock up a second round berth. Other results in the group, including the Netherlands putting seven goals past the hapless Vietnam side, meant that the US team had to stay on their toes. Any slipup against Portugal would see an early exit, but a draw would be enough to see safe passage. Instead of the Americans playing with more intent, Portugal had the better of the final group game, and a very lackluster US showing was almost punished as a last minute shot by the Portuguese Ana Capeta hit the post and rebounded safely away.
The US players celebrated their advance as if it was a huge achievement, perhaps out of a sense of relief, but the TV pundits were perplexed and unhappy. Watching the team greet fans in the stands to sign shirts and take selfies, as some other players danced, ex-US international Carli Lloyd said, "I have never witnessed anything like that. There's a difference between being respectful of the fans, but to be dancing? To be smiling? I mean, the player of the match was that post [referring to the late missed chance]. You are lucky to not be going home right now!"
On to the second round game in Melbourne, and a Sweden team that had won all three of their group games, outscoring their opponents 9-1. It was, like the match against the Dutch, a more tactical game with both sides canceling each other out for the majority of the game. It was no real surprise that it went the distance and even the extra time period could not produce a goal. And so it was to the dreaded penalty shootout. After five successful kicks the USA led 3-2, and had a huge advantage when Nathalie Bjorn missed her shot. Then Megan Rapinoe sent her shot wide of the goal. The US was initially reprieved when Sweden had their next shot saved by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Then Sophia Smith had the chance to send USA through but she also sent her effort off target. Sweden managed to level the scores and in the seventh round of kicks, after Kelley O'Hara had hit the post, it was down to the finest of margins. Agonizingly for the American team, the video replay showed that despite a fine effort by Naeher to save Lina Hurtig's shot, the ball had crossed to the line.
"First and foremost I am so proud of the team," a despondent Horan said after the loss. "We went out and did it, I think we played beautiful football today. We created chances but didn't score. Penalties suck, they are cruel. I am proud of every player that stood up today, it is courageous to take one."
Rapinoe, who is retiring from the sport at the end of the domestic season, has been heavily criticized after television showed her smiling, even laughing after her kick sailed wide. It was perhaps a show of disbelief or embarrassment, as she explained shortly after. "I'm really happy for us that we went out like that, playing the way we did, having a ton of joy on the ball. This is a sick joke for me personally, this is a dark comedy that I missed a penalty. This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game."
With Brazil and Germany, two other favored teams, also going out, there seems to be a shift in the major powers in the women's game. It will take time for the USWNT to regroup and come again. They do have some very talented young players that will use this experience as one to learn from. The bitter taste of losing can do wonders to try and readdress in future campaigns. For now though it stings to be going home so early from a tournament that had pinned so much hope on.
