Rio Olympics women’s soccer bracket 2016: USWNT upset by Sweden

The USWNT choked in penalties in the quarterfinals of the Olympics women’s soccer competition, falling to Sweden on Day 7 of Rio 2016

Death, taxes, and the United States Women’s National Team dominating Olympics women’s soccer all occupy the same space. They aren’t just expected, but they’ve been near-formalities for quite some time. Coming into the USWNT facing off against Sweden in the quarterfinals of Rio 2016, the US had never failed to reach the semifinals at the Olympics. That streak has now come to a close.

It was clear early on during the match on Friday that the USWNT might be in trouble on Friday. They looked less energetic than Sweden and the Scandinavian nation got on the board first. However, the USWNT wouldn’t die and an Alex Morgan goal midway through the second half brought the match level at 1-1.

After 90 minutes, the two teams went into extra time and tried to settle things there. Both the USWNT and Sweden both thought they had goals in the final five minutes, but saw both disallowed. Despite furious efforts leading up to the final whistle, it was ultimately still even at 1-1 after both periods of extra time. Obviously, this meant the first spot in the Olympics women’s soccer semifinals would be determined by penalties.

Coming up to the line first was the sure-footed Alex Morgan for the USWNT. With how Morgan had played, you’d have bet the penalty would be money. Unfortunately, Morgan hit it level with the keeper’s dive as the keep guessed to the right side. The missed conversion then put the United States up against it.

After a string of makes from Sweden, though, USA’s keeper in Hope Solo came up huge with a marvelous save to bring things back to level. If the USWNT could keep converting, they’d stay alive. However, Christen Press was up in the fifth slot for the US. And in the biggest moment of the match, she didn’t give herself a chance. Press drilled the shot over the crossbar. Solo was then left as the USWNT’s last hope, but even she couldn’t find anymore magic.

Here’s a look at the update bracket in Olympics women’s soccer:

The USWNT won’t win a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic women’s soccer competition. Moreover, this will be the first time ever they won’t even  Meanwhile, Sweden will now face the winner of Brazil and Australia as they’ll continue to try and spoil the party.