Disbelief, frustration, heartbreak, empathy, pride...  

Just a few of the things swirling around after the U.S. Women’s National Team was knocked out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup by Sweden on penalty kicks. 

After our final group game against Portugal – in which the US was “saved” by the post – there was plenty of concern about Sweden, who rolled through their group undefeated having scored nine goals and only giving up one. Given our group stage play, if you’d told me we would battle and take Sweden all the way to penalties, I think I would have been happy. 

And then the team did something unexpected: They responded. From the opening whistle, they sucked us all back in and had us BELIEVING again. They played well enough to win the game in regulation. They could have won the game in penalties, as well. 

Yes, Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic was a human highlight reel, making incredible reaction saves throughout the game. But she had to do that because the US were playing well and creating chances. It was reminiscent of the 2019 World Cup when the US struggled in group play then flipped the switch, leading to the title.  

For 120 minutes against Sweden, the USWNT looked like a TEAM again! 

Changes in tactics, changes in outcomes

With Rose Lavelle out due to yellow card accumulation, Head Coach Vlatko Andovski made a much-needed tactical shift, pairing Emily Sonnett and Andi Sullivan as a double pivot in the midfield. This allowed Lindsey Horan more freedom to create in the attack. This all allowed the US to control the midfield against their opponents for the first time this tournament.  

The US out-possessed, out-shot, and out-created Sweden. They pressed and counter-pressed all over the field, never allowing Sweden to settle into a rhythm. 

Everyone seemed to step up.  

Naomi Girma and Julie Ertz were more than solid on the back line. Girma’s composure and soccer IQ leave no doubt that she will be a force for years to come.  

Trinity Rodman had her best game and was dangerous 1v1 out wide. 

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher didn’t face many shots during the run of play, but she was massive on crosses Sweden were serving in, especially on set-pieces, one of Sweden’s most effective weapons.  

So what went wrong?

Obviously, the Round of 16 game was the USWNT’s best performance of the tournament.  

But in some ways that only spotlighted the earlier struggles in group play. Even against Sweden, they lacked efficiency and quality in finishing and in the final third.  

Even during the penalty kicks, the finishing was lacking. Since the shootout ended, there is plenty of chatter out there about just how close that final penalty was – millimeters, they say – but let’s not forget: It shouldn’t have even gone to seven kicks. The US had chances to end the shootout and didn’t. 

Some players were underutilized, or worse, not utilized at all. I’m not saying there needed to be a complete starting lineup overhaul for each game, but I do believe there were some game changers who could have made a difference had they been given a chance. New talents, new faces, new energy.  

This comment made by Aly Wagner on the broadcast resonated with me: “Some coaches rely on player history versus their current form.” 

In addition to avoiding overloading starters for what should have been a much longer tournament, playing the full squad is also an investment in the future. It’s impossible to replicate the pressure, excitement, and energy of a World Cup game outside of an actual World Cup game. 

Earliest Exit ever

This was the earliest exit for the USWNT ever. Previously we have made at least the semifinals at every World Cup.  

Yes, the US women are held to different standards – some may say unfairly – but that’s a consequence of the USWNT’s success and the team’s prominence in the global game. The US always get their opponents’ best game. We wear four stars above our crest, which comes with certain expectations and the pressure to earn more of them.  

A pressure that should be embraced as a privilege.  

With that said, I hope we all show the players some grace and empathy. I guarantee they are all taking this harder than anyone else. They are their own worst critics.  

Let’s remember that, although they were eliminated earlier than ever, there were flashes of the bright future ahead. 

What’s next?

First, after the initial sting of the loss fades, we must applaud and thank those who we may not see on the international stage again. Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz have announced their retirement, and I suspect more will follow. They are legends who have inspired generations and pushed the game forward. Legends who have left their mark well beyond the field of play. 

We need to celebrate them and their contributions. 

Second, the future is ridiculously bright. Players like Sophia Smith, Girma, Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, and Savannah Demelo are just getting started. (Not to mention Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario.) They all gained invaluable experience that they can build on.  

The focus now must shift to the Olympics next summer, and this bitter taste of defeat must turn into motivation. 

I truly hope this disappointment – all those emotions I listed at the top – will also serve as a catalyst for all of us to look at the entire soccer landscape in the US, from the youth clubs to the National Teams, with a new perspective. We need to address and examine many aspects of our soccer ecosystem if we want to continue to develop quality players.  

If this elimination does anything, it must inspire us to realize that we can no longer be comfortable with our current status on the world stage. We must evolve, provide more opportunities for more players, and get better at EVERY level. 

Added Time 

• There is now only one previous World Cup winner left in the tournament: Japan. That means there’s a good chance we may see a first-time champion. This is exciting and a tribute to the investment that has been made in women’s soccer around the world. Though, as I’ve said before, we still need more. 

• A special nod to the GOAT – Marta. Her passion and love for the game came through every time she stepped on the field. She undoubtedly has left her mark on Brazilian soccer and the rest of the world. 

• Jamaica! A team that had to put up a GoFundMe account to even get to the World Cup advanced from a group that had the likes of France and Brazil. Amazing! 

• Congratulations also to Morocco for advancing for the first time. The game is changing. All for the good.