The United States took on Sweden for their Round of 16 match in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The United states finished the group stage with one win and two draws. They came in second place in Group E. The United states drew Portugal 0-0 in their last match. Sweden won all three of their group stage games. They won Group G. Sweden beat Argentina 2-0 in their last match. Their last match was on July 21st, 2021. The United States lost that match 0-3.
I expressed Concerns with the United states play going into this match. They had issues throughout the group stage with communication, passing, and finishing their chances. Overall they had not been playing up to their expectations. I also talked about team chemistry and how a lot of these issues can relate to that. I brought that up because questions about the United States will to win had come up. I believe they have the drive to win but where that breaks down is in team chemistry. They have not been working well as a unit. The United States was favored to win a close game. The winner of this match would move on to play Japan in the Quarterfinals.
The first half ended in a 0-0 tie. Neither team could find the back of the net.
Sweden got a yellow card in 49′ minute. After 90+3′ minutes the game was still tied at 0-0. The game would go into extra time. The United State got a yellow card in the 119′ minute. Extra time ended with the score 0-0. The game would be decided by a penalty kick shootout. Both teams scored on their first two. The Netherlands missed their third one. The United States scored their third one. Both teams missed their fourth attempt. Sweden scored on their fifth attempt. The United states missed their fifth attempt. Both teams got their sixth attempt. Sweden scored on their seventh attempt. The United States missed on their seventh attempt. The final score was 0(5)-0(4) Sweden.
I will give the United states credit here they came into this match with a different energy. I think they should have had that energy from day one though. They cleaned up a lot of the passing and communications issues from what I saw. They still were not scoring. Not scoring is what played into their elimination from the tournament. They just did not play up to how they should have in this tournament. I have seen a lot of people get upset because people are being critical of the United States performance. The United States needs to be critiqued. This is not how the top team in the world should be playing. They need to do better. At the end of the day the United States at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will be known for underperforming leading to the worst result we have ever seen from the United States.
Once again the United States had plenty of chances and just didn’t score.
The United states have been eliminated from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The next major tournament for the United States Women’s National team will be at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Zac Electrifly 
Leave a comment