At least a stage moderate. Unequipped for holding ownership. Little creation from the midfield. Defeated beginning to end. The United States ladies’ soccer group didn’t simply lose their Olympics opener to Sweden 3-0 here on Wednesday.
They were ruled in the sort of stunning design that once in a while happens to the Americans. “We got our butts kicked, didn’t we?” Megan Rapinoe said after.
Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius scored in the 25th moment to establish the vibe and afterward added another objective in the 54th off a corner kick.
Midfielder Lina Hurtig made an already difficult situation even worse with a header in the 72nd moment. It was essential for a staggering exertion that made the U.S. look terrible. They entered this occasion as substantial top choices (- 185 on BetMGM) to take gold. They were riding 44-game unbeaten streak, including seven straight successes to catch the 2019 World Cup.
The misfortune in the initial round of gathering play doesn’t wipe out the Americans from decoration dispute, yet it leaves them with a razor-meager edge for blunder.
In a 12-group field, the U.S. necessities to complete second in its gathering or be one of the main two third-place finishers to progress to the quarterfinals, when the competition becomes single disposal. The Americans face New Zealand on Saturday and Australia on Tuesday.
All the more strikingly, this presentation raises doubt about exactly what sort of group this is, and regardless of whether it’s even equipped for winning gold. Give Sweden credit, however the U.S. doesn’t get pushed around like this frequently. Mentor Vlatko Andonovski picked a veteran-hefty gathering to come here and turn into the principal group to at any point follow a World Cup title with Olympic gold.
Yet, with experience comes age, and the Americans kicked off five players more than 32 years of age. Two of the initial three players Andonovski brought off the seat were 39 and 36. Some of it showed.
Also, barely anything worked. Quality possibilities were at the very least as the Americans appeared to be unequipped for taking care of Sweden’s pressing factor. By halftime, Alex Morgan was off for Carli Lloyd, while Sam Mewis, who many think about the best part on the planet, was supplanted by Julie Ertz. Megan Rapinoe subbed Tobin Heath in the subsequent half.
The U.S. was behind its from the beginning — a long ways from the World Cup crew that were seldom in even a difficult situation while cruising to the title. The USWNT had lost by three objectives only multiple times in its set of experiences.
This was the most exceedingly terrible misfortune since a 4-0 loss because of Brazil at the 2007 World Cup. The Americans lost to Sweden in the 2016 quarterfinals in Brazil and had looked for a proportion of vengeance on Wednesday. That 1-0 Swedish triumph, however, wasn’t close to as unequivocal as this one.
This was a demonstration of power by the Swedes, who must be viewed as top picks for gold now. Also, an indication of uncommon confusion for the Americans, who have brief period to sort things out.
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