No three-peat. No chance placing in the final four, as they'd done in eight prior World Cups. No celebration of accomplishments.
A quarterfinal loss on penalty kicks to Sweden was not softened by a the lackluster play in group play. Expectations were still high, if not tempered, for a team many hoped would find the final touch, the perfect pass, and the ideal game plan.
Caught between generations of talent, many of those aspects never materialized for a team that's been in essentially a 12-year period of dominance. Cracks in the downfall where evident in the Tokyo Summer Olympics but many expected those to be sealed heading into the World Cup.
World Cup titles and setting high standards of play highlighted this period.
So much of what made the USWNT great was missing this time around. Injuries kept major contributors back home, leading to adjusted tactics and a team chock full of inexperience at the World Cup level. Effort was present but execution was not. And a switch in the lineup, bringing in Emily Sonnett to pair with Andi Sullivan, was at the very least one-game too late.
Sometimes, too, a little luck goes a long way in soccer. A penalty kick knocked through by millimeters. A pass an inch off. The spin of the ball knocking a post rather than finding the net.
All of it seemed to befall the United States this World Cup. And they were far from the only top team to stumble out of the '23 World Cup failing to meet expectations. Brazil, Germany, and Canada all met that fate in group play.
It's not the end of the world but changes will be in store in prepping for the 2024 Summer Olympics. A new coach could be on the agenda and there will definitely be lineup changes. Until then, a failed bid for a third-straight title is what's left to ruminate on.
Knockout stage
The irony of the loss to Sweden was the USWNT played their best game of the tournament. Passes were finding the right players, possession was being won, and shots were finding a target.
Too bad Sweden goalkeeper Zećira Mušović had the game of their life.
Shots by United States weren't of the highest difficult but Mušović shined it defending all of them. The Americans seemed on the verge of breaking the tie all night, with momentum hanging out on their side.
A steady attack kept the pressure on, but the back of the net could not be found and the USWNT went home scoring only four goals in four games.
Despite the early exit, there were bright spots during this World Cup run. A solid defensive effort, spearheaded by Naomi Girma, held opponents to only one goal in four games.
Girma was among a handful of players who saw their first World Cup action. A bright future is in store up front, with Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Lynn Williams making an impression. This doesn't even include 18-year Alyssa Thompson, a star in the making who saw limited action this World Cup.
We should see a handful of those out with injuries return next summer, though changes will be a bound. Megan Rapinoe had already announced a retirement and it appears Julie Ertz is headed that way, too. Kelly O'Hara is another who likely played in their last World Cup, though their leadership was on full display this year and should be a consideration for the next cycle, if they desire.
The ending to this World for the USWNT was a disappointing one but there is plenty to build on. And plenty of exciting action is still to be had, with eight teams vying to take home the title.
Quarterfinal matches
Seven of the eight teams are vying for their first World Cup title. The eighth, Japan, has been the class of the tournament thus far and is seeking their second title (winning in 2011 over the USA on penalty kicks).
Japan has been phenomenal in four matches, conceding only one goal while scoring 14. Hinata Miyazawa has five goals in the '23 World Cup, leading all players.
France has been nearly as flawless in scoring 12 goals and is coming off a round of 16 victory over Morocco, 4-0. Seven different players have scored for France, led by Kadidiatou Diani, who has four (plus three assists).
England, who survived on penalty kicks against Nigeria, and Spain, 5-0 winners over Switzerland, both are favorites. England, however, will have to play without Lauren James (three goals), who was sent off with a red card.
England will have their hands full with a Colombia squad that has allowed only one goal, while Spain takes on the Netherlands.
Spain's Aitani Bonmati has three goals and two assists in the tournament.
Sweden will face a tough test against Japan and co-host Australia continues their journey after defeating Denmark 2-0.
The quarterfinals will take place August 10 - 12. All times listed are Eastern, with predicted winners in bold.
August 10 (9 p.m.): Spain vs Netherlands
August 11 (3:30 a.m.): Japan vs Sweden
August 12 (3 a.m.): Australia vs France
August 12 (6:30 a.m.): England vs Colombia
*Update 8/12 - After going 7-1 in my round of 16 predictions, I struggled to a 1-3 outcome in the quarterfinals. Spain defeated Netherlands 2-1, Sweden defeated Japan 2-1, and Australia and France went to penalty kicks, with Australia winning 7-6. England (2) defeating Colombia (1) was my lone winner.
*Update semifinals: England defeated Australia, 3-1 and Spain defeated Sweden, 2-1
*Update 8/19 (third-place game): Sweden defeats Australia, 2-0
Semifinals: Sweden vs Spain (August 15, 4:00 a.m. ET), Australia vs England (August 16, 6:00 a.m. ET)
photo credit: Flickr
Comments