The U.S. Girls’s Soccer workforce has crashed out of the 2023 World Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out loss towards rivals Sweden.

That is the earliest USWNT has been eradicated from a World Cup.

The epic penalty shootout ended 5-4 to Sweden. Penalties from gamers on either side have been poor, with a number of gamers lacking the goal, together with Crew U.S. maverick Megan Rapinoe. The shootout went to sudden dying and Sweden clinched the win with a weak penalty that US goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury initially saved. Nonetheless, the ball crept previous her and trickled into the objective. Sweden progressed to the Quarter Finals the place they’ll face Japan.

Crew U.S. dominated the sport, which was broadcast on Fox Sports activities. The younger aspect dominated the possession and stored Sweden’s goalkeeper busy, with virtually fixed assault on her objective. Nevertheless, Crew U.S. have been lower than medical and did not translate their excessive possession stats into treasured targets. This has been the story of Crew U.S. all through the competitors.

After a promising begin, Crew U.S by no means regarded all the best way proper. The four-time winners started their journey for a 3rd straight World Cup title in assured kind with a 3-0 win towards Vietnam. Nevertheless, the workforce fell off the fuel rapidly after their opening win, clocking a lackluster draw towards the Netherlands, and solely progressed out of the Group Phases due to a dry draw towards World Cup debutants Portugal. The U.S. completed second in Group E with 5 factors — their lowest tally in World Cup historical past.

At the moment’s loss will possible be the final time Megan Rapinoe is seen in a Crew U.S. jersey at a global competitors. The soccer veteran has stated she plans to retire on the finish of this season. Defeat towards Sweden and Rapinoe’s exit set the temper for reinvention, with 14 of immediately’s USWNT gamers clocking their first world cup appearances at this match. 

USWNT has for many years dominated worldwide soccer, sustaining autonomy atop the world rankings. However lately, as their stars have aged and extra nations, particularly in Europe, have invested of their ladies’s nationwide groups, USWNT has turn into a much less convincing favourite.  

Talking after the sport, USWNT veteran Julie Ertz stated: “It’s an honor to characterize this workforce, and I’m excited for the way forward for these women.”