Opinion: USWNT still have a chance at making history
There is a shot at success at this Women's World Cup in the knockout round against mighty Sweden
The USWNT have come to this World Cup to make history.
Unfortunately, it may be the wrong kind.
The Americans came into this tournament vying for the chance to win a third straight World Cup. It’s a feat that no team — male or female — has ever achieved.
After a lackluster group stage highlighted by a 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday, the Americans now face mighty Sweden in the round of 16.
It’s a do-or-die game for the Americans this Sunday. The team have played poorly in attack and has gotten lucky defensively — like Portugal hitting the post in stoppage time. What this team needs now is less dancing and smiling for doing the minimum and rise to meet the moment with an emphatic win against Sweden.
This is a team that has failed to click at this tournament despite a mix of veterans like Alex Morgan and budding stars such as Trinity Rodman. As a result, this is a team that now finds itself at a crossroads.
The USWNT has been criticized by many for having a bad attitude. This was put best by former U.S. star Carli Lloyd. Now a pundit for FOX Sports, Loyd called out her former teammates.
“I’m just seeing a very lackluster, uninspiring, taking it for granted — where winning and training and doing all you can to be the best possible individual player is not happening,” Lloyd said during the postgame show.
She didn’t stop there.
“I have never witnessed something like that," Lloyd said, as she gestured towards an on-set monitor displaying USWNT players like Megan Rapinoe dancing and laughing after the game. “There’s a difference between being respectful to the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing and smiling. I mean, the player of the match was that post. We’re lucky to not be going home right now.”
Whether that blistering commentary was too harsh or not is for those on Twitter to debate. For me, this is a team that has looked good in recent months but not so much the past two weeks.
Why?
Friendlies don’t usually generate much in the way of pressure. At this Women’s World Cup, the players have felt lots of it. While the younger players are experiencing all this for the very first time, veterans such as Morgan and Rapinoe need to lead by example.
They haven’t — on or off the field — and that has been a real shame. At the same time, the rest of the field have closed the gap. For the U.S., a slow start doesn’t mean you’re out. There is a second chance at success in the knockout round.
The Americans have a chance to start over with a win against the mighty Swedes. There’s a chance to make things right and win games. There’s also a chance at making history — just not the wrong kind.