Three years ago, the USWNT suffered its worst defeat ever. OK, it wasn’t USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago bad, but it was, by the high standards of the American women, a major disappointment when Sweden knocked the U.S. out of the 2016 Olympic quarterfinals.
The USWNT defeated Sweden 2-0 in Le Havre on Thursday to clinch top spot in Group F and confirm next Monday’s Round of 16 meeting with Spain, exorcising some three-year-old demons in the process.
Key to casting out the lasting visages of that Olympic smash and grab was Tobin Heath, who ensured an American victory in the 50th minute after squaring up her defender, tip tapping her way forward like Yoda approaching Count Dooku before whirring into action and working a yard of space to hit one.
Assuming the USWNT finishes top of Group F later Thursday, as is expected, the Americans are going to face a tough path to the final, one that might include Spain, France and England. But what about the other side of the bracket?
While Germany is a big favorite, Die Nationalelf lost their best midfielder in Dzsenifer Marozsán to an injury. So who else might reach the final from that half of the bracket?
Note from the editor: This story originally ran in 2016 following the loss of the USWNT to Sweden in the Olympic Games. We've reposted it today in the lead up to the group stage rematch at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The USWNT defeated Chile 3-0 on Sunday with all three goals coming in the first half. Coincidentally, that was the exact same score at halftime of the Thailand game before the U.S. added 10 more over the course of the second 45. The score could’ve certainly approached that today, but for Chile goalkeeper Christiane Endler.
The 27-year-old, who plays for PSG, certainly appeared comfortable at the Parc des Princes while pulling off a string of stunning saves to keep the USWNT at bay in front of 45,594 appreciative spectators.
After trouncing Thailand 13-0 to begin FIFA Women’s World Cup play, the question facing the USWNT heading into Sunday’s match against Chile was both how many goals they’d score and — uh oh — how they’d celebrate those goals.
Megan Rapinoe is not one to shy away from speaking her mind. Now “awake,” according to a recent Yahoo! Sports interview, she’s using her platform to turn herself into, in her own words, “a walking protest.”
Before the Women’s World Cup opener against Thailand began on Tuesday, Rapinoe was the only American player to not put her hand over her heart and sing the national anthem.