The United States women’s soccer team lost to Sweden today in penalty kicks, making the first time the US has not reached the semifinals in the Olympics.
The quarterfinal match between the USA and Sweden had a lot of storylines heading into it, namely former USWNT coach Pia Sundhage facing her former team. Sweden were huge underdogs to a U.S women’s soccer team that had previously never failed to move past the quarterfinals in Olympic history.
Sweden stepped up to the challenge, giving them their toughest test to date in a quarterfinal match, and slaying goliath.
It was a slow start to the game, both teams feeling each other out. The first half ended in a scoreless tie, but both teams had their opportunities. The USWNT had some trouble getting close to the net against, but Carli Lloyd had a few shots blocked in the early minutes of the second half.
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Sweden struck first, scoring in the 59th minute on a breakaway ball that slipped past Hope Solo. With the lead now in their hands, Sweden began to play a more physical against a rattled American team. Consequently, Sweden tacked up numerous fouls in the second half.
The rough play did not intimidate the Americans, however. In the 76th minute Alex Morgan took advantage of an injured Sweden player on the ground and charged in for the crucial game-tying goal.
At the end of regulation time the score remained 1-1 and the game went to extra time. Neither team could get close to a goal to break the drought in the first extra period. The United States nearly won the game in the second period of extra time when Carli Lloyd got a great header into the goal in the 144th minute, but it was ruled offsides. Then a minute later the United States avoided doom in the same manner when the same happens to the Swedish team.
The game ended in a draw and went to penalty kicks for just the first time in Olympic women’s soccer history.
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The USWNT shot first in penalty kicks and Alex Morgan missed the first shot. Sweden’s Schelin made the first shot for Sweden. Horan responded by converting her shot for the USWNT, but the tie was brief as Asllani made hers for Sweden. Carli Lloyd made the third shot for the USWNT. Hope Solo stopped Sembrant’s shot for Sweden and suddenly the U.S is up 3-2 in penalty kicks. Next, Morgan Brian made her shot for the USWNT, but Seger followed by converting hers for Sweden.
Christen Press is the last player to step up to the spot for the USA and she sent her shot over the crossbar. It came down to Dahlquist for Sweden, and she put it past Hope Solo for the win.
Sweden reaches their first semifinal in Olympic history, while the USA will fail to make it past the quarterfinals for the first time in team history.