United States World Cup exit marks the end of an era
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The era of US dominance in women's football is over after the holders exited the World Cupin a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Sweden on Sunday, bringing an agonising end to the international career of Megan Rapinoe and raising questions about where the side goes now.
The United States had won the last two Women's WorldCups and four of the eight editions held before this year. They had never gone out before the semi-final stage.
This time they have been sent packing in the last 16 having won just one game in Australia and New Zealand, that an unconvincing 3-0 defeat of Vietnam.
Vlatko Andonovski's side followed that by drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands, the same team the USA defeated in the 2019 final, and grimly holding on for a draw against Portugalto squeeze into the knockout phase.
Swedes scrape past South Africa, Dutch do enough at Women's World Cup
FootballIt would be unfair to be too harsh on the USA given the way they played against Sweden, dominating and only failing to win in normal time because of some heroics by opposing goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
«We put up a fight, a battle, and represented this country. We showed what we stand for and we did everything right,» said a crestfallen Andonovski after the 5-4 shoot-out loss in Melbourne that followed a goalless 120 minutes.
But the reality is that this has been a deeply disappointing tournament for the planet's top-ranked side and one that has confirmed that the rest of the world has caught up.
The USA followed losing the 2011 final on penalties to Japan by romping to victory in 2015, beating the same opponents 5-2 in the final.
Four years ago they retained their crown in France, but the signs
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