USWNT went into this summer's event as the heavy favourites for the gold medal, having won 22 of their last 23 games.
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The U.S. women’s national team’s (USWNT) 44-game unbeaten streak came to a shocking end on Wednesday. The world champions lost 3-0 to Sweden in their first match at this summer’s Olympic Games. It was a dominant performance from Sweden who out played the USWNT across the pitch. As Megan Rapinoe put, “We got bopped.”
Megan Rapinoe on the USWNT’s poor start to #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/FsAL5e2fTV
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 21, 2021
Stina Blackstenius scored twice and Lina Hurtig added a third for Sweden. The USWNT offered little in response, with Christen Press’s 71st minute miss comprising their best chance. The blowout was the first 3-0 loss handed to the team since their 2017 loss to France.
Sweden dominated the play early in the first half, pressing high up the pitch and disrupting the USWNT. They got their breakthrough in the 24th minute of the match. Eva Jakobsson delivered a cross into the box that Blackstenius put away with a glancing header.
The USWNT managed to get through the first half down only one goal, despite being outshot eleven to three. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski made adjustments in the second half. He subbed on Carli Lloyd and Julie Ertz for Alex Morgan and Sam Mewis. The impact from Ertz was immediate, as the midfielder began making plays in midfield, winning the ball back and closing down passing lanes in her first appearance since May.Â
While the team appeared to finally make progress and connect a few passes while disrupting Sweden’s midfield, the momentum was short lived as Blackstenius got her second goal in the 54th minute.
The USWNT missed a golden chance to get back in the match as Christen Press hit the post. Minutes later Sweden scored their third to put the match away.
USWNT will face New Zealand next, perceived to be the weakest team in the group. The head coach will be looking for a big response from his team.
Our belief is greater than any single result. Eyes ahead ?? pic.twitter.com/Qx3kEt33JP
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 21, 2021
The U.S. were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. They hit the woodwork on two occasions while Carli Lloyd also produced a big save from Hedvig Lindahl, but Sweden could have added plenty more goals to their final tally as well.
With the turnaround very short between games, the next fixtures coming on Saturday, it’s likely that Andonovski will rotate heavily and he will expect those who come into the team to stake their claim for more minutes as the tournament goes on, particularly with places up for grabs following this incredible opening defeat.
