Category: USWNT

Soccer fan Donald Trump offers nuanced critique of USWNT World Cup exit

The former president would like you to know that “the USA is going to Hell!!!”

Just like everyone else out here, Donald Trump is looking to explain exactly how the U.S. women’s national team fell short at the World Cup.

With a shootout defeat to Sweden on Sunday, the USWNT fell in the last 16 to seal its worst World Cup ever. The team’s previous worst finish was third place.

Perhaps the former U.S. President felt that Vlatko Andonovski should have gone to a 4-2-3-1 earlier than he did. Maybe he thought Ashley Sanchez should’ve been given a shot. Or maybe Trump concluded, after watching the SheBelieves Cup in 2022 and 2023, that injuries to Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson were too much to overcome.

What’s that? He had a different take? Hmm, OK.

“The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.”

Oh.

Trump, of course, has a bit of a history with the USWNT, especially Megan Rapinoe, whose penalty he made sure to compliment.

In 2019, Rapinoe stated that she wouldn’t be going to the “f—–g White House” if the USWNT won the World Cup, to which Trump said (among many other things) “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!”

Rapinoe and the USWNT would indeed finish the job, winning their second straight World Cup. This time around things didn’t go quite so well, which clearly delighted the 45th President of the United States.

But having concluded that “WOKE EQUALS FAILURE,” Trump may be a bit surprised to learn more about the team that eliminated the USWNT.

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Harvey honored to be linked with (still occupied) USWNT coaching job

The OL Reign head coach will be a prime candidate to take over if Vlatko Andonovski is replaced

Vlatko Andonovski is still the coach of the U.S. women’s national team, but potential successors are already being asked about replacing him.

That’s not a huge surprise: Andonovski is widely expected to be replaced imminently, after the USWNT crashed out of the World Cup at the last 16 to seal the team’s worst finish ever at the tournament.

One of the prime candidates to take over will be Laura Harvey, whom Andonovski narrowly beat out for the job in 2019. Harvey has extensive experience with U.S. Soccer, having previously served as a USWNT assistant and as a U-23 and U-20 head coach.

Harvey is now in charge at OL Reign, a team she insisted she is singularly focused on for the time being.

“I’ve lived it before, I lived this four years ago. I’m very mindful that this is my priority – this job is my priority,” she said in a press conference. “I love it here, that’s no secret. I’ve committed to the future of this club.”

Last month, Harvey signed a contract extension with OL Reign through 2025.

“My focus right now is the Reign,” she added. “We’re in the middle of a season. We’ve put ourselves in a really good position in both competitions that we’re in. And right now my focus is solely on the Reign.

“I actually give our team and players credit if my name is anywhere near anything, because that just shows the performances that our group’s been putting in.”

Still, Harvey wouldn’t deny the appeal of the USWNT position, which she called the top job in women’s soccer worldwide.

“I enjoyed my time at U.S. Soccer. That’s no doubt,” she said. “The U.S. women’s national team is probably the top job in the world, if not a top-three job in the world. That’s just reality. And if my name is anywhere near it, then that’s an honor.

“But first and foremost, my priority is the Reign. It is going to be hard to block it out, there’s no doubt about that, but I’ve lived it before. So I’ve got a little bit of experience with it.”

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Morgan: I’m not planning to hang up my boots anytime soon

Morgan started all four games of the World Cup but failed to find the net

Alex Morgan insisted she is not considering retirement following the U.S. women’s national team’s shock early exit from the World Cup.

The USWNT crashed out at the last 16 against Sweden on penalties, failing to find the net in a scoreless 120 minutes before being eliminated by a deciding Sweden penalty that crossed the line by millimeters.

Morgan started all four games of the World Cup but failed to find the net, including a missed penalty against Vietnam.

At age 34 and having just completed her fourth World Cup, Morgan was asked by ESPN about the game and her future with the USWNT.

“It’s hard to lose on penalties but we didn’t put it away in the game and that’s what happens,” Morgan said. “We went to penalties where it’s a flip of a coin and that’s what happens. It’s just a tough one.”

Asked if she had played her final USWNT game, Morgan said: “I’m not planning to hang up my boots anytime soon right now. So just one day at a time.”

Morgan has scored 121 goals in 211 USWNT caps, good for fifth in program history. She was top scorer in the NWSL with the San Diego Wave last season, scoring 16 goals in 19 games. This season, she’s scored five goals in 11 games.

Though Morgan may be sticking around, some key USWNT players will not be: Julie Ertz said after the Sweden game that she had played her final match with the national team, while Megan Rapinoe announced before the World Cup that she’d retire following the 2023 NWSL season.

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Four reasons the USWNT had their worst World Cup ever

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the biggest failure in USWNT World Cup history

The U.S. women’s national team did something they’ve never done before, and probably won’t ever want to do again.

The USWNT is out of the World Cup earlier than ever before, exiting in the round of 16 after a scoreless draw with Sweden ended with seven cruel rounds of penalty kicks.

That outcome has consequences. Julie Ertz has already said this was probably the end of her run with the USWNT, while head coach Vlatko Andonovski — following up a disappointing Olympic performance in 2021 — is unlikely to be retained. There will be some soul-searching, plenty of after-action analysis, and potentially a new direction for women’s soccer writ large. The USWNT going out this early will likely have the kind of impact that is impossible to predict.

Before all of that, though, there’s the more immediate issue: a team that underperformed most of last year got back to some bad habits in the group stage at this World Cup. That condemned them to a match against a Sweden side ranked third in the world by FIFA, as opposed to a theoretically easier path to a third straight trophy ceremony.

Here are four main reasons things went so wrong for a team that could have won it all.

2023 Women’s World Cup Knockout Stage Day 2 Recap: USWNT eliminated by Sweden

The top two ranked teams in the world are now out before the quarterfinals

The drama has reached a whole new level at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. On the second day of knockout stage games, the USWNT got bounced, meaning the top two ranked countries in the world (the U.S. is first and Germany second in FIFA’s rankings) are no longer in contention — and it all came down to penalty kicks.

But before we dive into the two games from the second knockout stage day, here is your reminder that you can follow the entirety of the World Cup right here at Pro Soccer Wire! Make sure to check out the full TV/streaming schedule, a power ranking of all 16 knockout stage teams, and the rankings in this year’s race for the Golden Boot.

Now, let’s dive into the games.

Rapinoe: ‘It’s dark comedy that I missed a penalty’

The veteran’s World Cup career ironically ended with a missed penalty

Megan Rapinoe said that missing a penalty kick in a shootout is “dark comedy” after the U.S. women’s national team crashed out of the 2023 World Cup.

After a 0-0 draw against Sweden over 120 minutes, the USWNT fell 5-4 in an agonizing penalty shootout as they were eliminated in the last 16.

Three USWNT players missed penalties in the shootout, with Rapinoe joined by Kelley O’Hara and Sophia Smith in missing the goal entirely.

Rapinoe is typically deadly from the penalty spot, having scored three penalties in the knockout stage alone during the 2019 World Cup.

Speaking to Fox Sports after her last World Cup game with the USWNT, Rapinoe noted the irony of missing a spot kick in the shootout.

“I thought we played really well,” Rapinoe said. “I’m so happy for us that we went out like that, playing the way that we did and having a ton of joy on the ball.

“I mean, this is like a sick joke. For me personally, I’m just like, this is dark comedy I missed a penalty. Alyssa [Naeher] came up huge though, kept us in it, obviously scoring one herself.”

She added: “This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel and just [wasn’t] our day. But I still just feel really grateful and joyful. I know it’s the end and that’s sad, but to know that this is really the only time I’ve been in one of these this early (an interview after an early exit from the tournament) says so much about how much success I’ve been able to have, and just how much I’ve loved playing for this team and playing for this country. It’s been an honor.”

In his post-game press conference, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski paid tribute to Rapinoe while expressing his surprise to see her miss a vital penalty.

“Megan Rapinoe is a legend,” the coach said. “If I had my life on the line right now, and I had to pick who was going to take the penalty, Megan Rapinoe is my choice.”

Watch Rapinoe’s post-game interview

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USWNT player ratings: Defensive spine shines in gut-punch penalty kick defeat

The USWNT finally played like themselves, but soccer can be cruel

Soccer has always been a cruel sport, and today it came calling for the U.S. women’s national team.

After three underwhelming performances in the group stage, the USWNT finally looked like themselves against Sweden, bossing one of the best teams in this World Cup.

Unfortunately, they found goalkeeper Zećira Mušović having one of the games of her life, and when she wasn’t making a big save, the errant finishing that has plagued this team appeared again, and the result was a penalty kick elimination after a scoreless 120 minutes.

It was a heartbreaker for the U.S., who missed a shot in the shootout that would have seen them advance, and then had to watch Sweden’s winning kick require a VAR check to reveal that the ball had crossed the line by a nearly imperceptible margin.

Still, when it comes to ratings, this was by some margin the best performance from the USWNT at this World Cup as a team, and for many players as individuals.

As a reminder, here’s the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:

Our scale:

  • 1: Abysmal. Literally any member of our staff would have been been able to play at this level.
  • 6: Adequate. This is our base score.
  • 10: Transcendent, era-defining performance. This is Carli Lloyd vs. Japan in the 2015 final.

Julie Ertz says she’s likely finished with the USWNT

The 31-year-old was emotional after her side crashed out of the World Cup

After the U.S. women’s national team crashed out of the World Cup in the last 16 against Sweden, Julie Ertz said she has likely played her last game for the national team.

Ertz played every minute of the World Cup for the USWNT, shifting back to defense and partnering Naomi Girma throughout the tournament after an injury to Becky Sauerbrunn.

The 31-year-old has only recently returned to the game after nearly two years away, taking time off after giving birth last August.

Ertz has earned 122 caps over her USWNT career, winning the World Cup in 2015 as a center back and in 2019 in the defensive midfield role she’s made her own in recent years.

Speaking to Fox Sports after the USWNT’s loss, a tearful Ertz revealed that her national team career was likely over.

“It’s tough. We’re proud of the way that we played, but we didn’t put anything in the back of the net. The penalties were tough as well. I think for me, it’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest,” Ertz said.

“It’s just an emotional time,” she added. “It absolutely sucks and penalties are the worst. But it’s an honor to represent this team. I’m excited for the future of the girls.”

Asked about her USWNT legacy, Ertz responded: “Kelley [O’Hara] always says that we just rent these jerseys, and it’s our job to pass it down to the younger ones to continue that in their DNA.

“It’s been an absolute ride. I’ve learned so much about myself as a player, but even just as a person. So this team obviously competes and plays soccer but it does so much more and I’m just very grateful.”

Speaking to ESPN after the game, Ertz was more definitive: “Unfortunately this is my last time in this crest,” she said.

After making her USWNT return, Ertz signed with Angel City FC in April. It’s not clear if she plans to retire from the game altogether or if she is only calling time on her international career.

Watch Ertz’s post-game interview

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USWNT crashes out of World Cup after agonizing shootout loss to Sweden

The quest for a third straight World Cup ends in the round of 16

The U.S. women’s national team is out.

After a lackluster group stage, the USWNT fell to Sweden in a penalty kick shootout in the round of 16, clinching the team’s worst-ever finish at a World Cup.

The manner of the exit, which followed a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes, was simply agonizing.

Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara all missed penalties in the shootout. Smith had the chance to send the USWNT through to the quarterfinals with her spot kick, but the reigning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year shot wide.

Incredibly, Sweden’s winning penalty looked like it was saved by Alyssa Naeher but after a VAR review, the ball was shown to have barely crossed the line.

It was this close.

It was a devastating end to what was by far the USWNT’s best display of the World Cup. But after a poor group stage saw them finish second, the USWNT’s quest for a third straight title was always going to be difficult.

The major pre-game shift saw the U.S. move from the 4-3-3 formation it had utilized the whole tournament to a 4-2-3-1, with Emily Sonnett coming in as a holding midfielder in place of the suspended Rose Lavelle.

The move, while perhaps forced to due Lavelle’s suspension, was transformative for the USWNT, who looked like an entirely different side to the one Andonovski himself said was “crap” in its group finale against Portugal.

Suddenly with passing options in the midfield, the U.S. showed an ability to build up it had not displayed in a worrying group stage. Against one of the tournament’s best teams, the USWNT was firmly on the front foot in the first half, only lacking a goal in a much improved display.

The U.S. continued to push in the second half as Sweden appeared mostly content to absorb pressure. But as Peter Gerhardsson’s side was pushed back more and more, it had to rely on its goalkeeper to make two excellent saves to keep the match level.

First, Zećira Mušović somehow dove to her left to keep out Lindsey Horan’s 53rd-minute rocket that appeared destined for the far corner.

Mušović was there again in the dying moments of regulation to claw out an Alex Morgan header to ensure the match went into extra time.

As it did during regulation, the USWNT had the better of the chances in extra time and just like she did during regulation, Mušović was up to the challenge.

Lynn Williams had the best chance of extra time for the U.S. but Mušović dove low to her right to keep out the substitute’s effort.

Mušović’s efforts in getting her side to a penalty shootout were richly rewarded. Sweden will move on to face Japan in a marquee quarterfinal matchup while for the USWNT, the recriminations are only begininng.

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USWNT lineup vs. Sweden: Rodman returns, Sonnett a surprise starter for round of 16 match

Sonnett’s inclusion signals a change in the USWNT’s formation

The U.S. women’s national team will take on Sweden in a round of 16 battle, the most familiar pairing in the history of the women’s World Cup.

However, the USWNT lineup on the night will be distinctly unfamiliar. Vlatko Andonovski made two changes to the team that finished up the group stage looking vulnerable in a 0-0 draw with Portugal. One was straightforward: Trinity Rodman returned to the lineup in place of Lynn Williams.

The other is less conventional. With Rose Lavelle suspended due to yellow card accumulation, it was expected that the USWNT would call on Savannah DeMelo or Ashley Sanchez in her place. Instead, Andonovski has turned to Emily Sonnett, a utility defender/midfielder.

While Andonovski’s unconventional choice left multiple options open due to Sonnett’s versatility, the final choice was the least surprising of the bunch. Sonnett lined up alongside Andi Sullivan in a defensive midfield role, with captain Lindsey Horan pushing further forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

A win for the U.S. would guarantee another immense challenge in the form of a quarterfinal against Japan, arguably the most impressive team in this World Cup thus far. That match would take place at Eden Park in Auckland, the site for two prior USWNT matches in the group stage. Kickoff would be set for 3:30 am ET.

A loss? Angst around the program would reach a fever pitch as the pre-tournament favorite would stumble out early, having won once in four games. We’d be in for months of analysis, criticism, “what could have been” scenarios, and almost certainly a new coach coming in. Suffice it to say, this one’s a big one.

Save for Lavelle, the rest of the U.S. squad is available off the bench.

USWNT lineup vs. Sweden

(4-2-3-1): Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; Sullivan, Sonnett; Rodman, Horan, Smith; Morgan

Sweden lineup (4-3-3): Zećira Mušović; Nathalie Björn, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson; Filippa Angeldal, Kosovare Asllani, Elin Rubensson; Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö

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