For the first time since women’s soccer was introduced to the Olympics at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, the U.S. will not be playing for the gold medal. In fact, the Americans won’t be winning any medals at all.
The USWNT was stunned by Sweden in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio 4-3 on penalty kicks to get eliminated from the event. The two sides were tied 1-1 in regulation and became the first teams to ever go to penalty kicks in the Olympics. But things got off to a terrible start when Alex Morgan, shooting first for the U.S., had her attempt stopped. Luckily Hope Solo made a stop on Sweden’s third attempt to even the shootout at 2-2.
Disappointment set in when, shooting fifth for the U.S., Christen Press’ attempt sailed over the net. Next Solo guessed wrong on Sweden’s shot by Lisa Dahlkvist, which went in to give the Swedes the win.
Morgan was the goal scorer for the U.S. in regulation. Press entered the game as a sub for Megan Rapinoe in the 99th minute.
There was an exciting minute during extra time when both sides scored about a minute apart, but the goals were called back due to offsides, when replays showed that, in fact, neither player was actually offsides.
The U.S. has now failed to beat Sweden in four matches since Pia Sundhage, the former USWNT team coach, took over as coach for her home country. Sweden is 2-0-2 against the U.S. since Sundhage took over.
This is the earliest the USWNT has ever exited in the Olympics. The team won gold in ’96 and ’04-’12. The loss came in 2000 in the gold medal game to Norway. This will be the first time the USWNT will fail to medal at the Olympics.
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