Vlatko Andonovski's tactical stubbornness is holding the USWNT back... So, what needs to change?

The USA take on Sweden in round 16 of the World Cup on Sunday in Melbourne

After a surprising second place finish in group G, the United States Women's Teamface Sweden in what will be a testing round 16 clash. It's no secret that things haven't exactly gone to plan, with the team looking like a shadow of their former selves.

In fairness to the players and the manager Vlatko Andonovski, they have recognized that performances haven't been good enough, insisting that they are working hard as a collective to improve. «We know that it's not good enough… we're not happy with our performance, but we qualify for the next round. We're moving on,» said Andonovski after the draw with Portugal.

That message was echoed by Lindsey Horan on Thursday. «We're so passionate about this game we want to win as much as possible, and we want to play better, like, we all know that, you guys [the press] know that our team wants to play better and to find those little pieces of joy in the game as well. So, I think once we get a little bit more of that joy and that feeling back, things are going to move a bit better on the field.»

How can the USA get better, though? That's well and truly the million-dollar question right now.

The warning signs have been there from the get-go and as expected, the team's deficiencies across the pitch have been found out against stronger opposition like theNetherlands and Portugal.

And despite it becoming startlingly clear that things aren't working, Andonovski has consistently shown unwavering devotion to his philosophy, game plan, formation and team selection. Having been shackled by his ideological resoluteness, the team's full potential has yet to be unlocked in the group stages — and arguably since he took over,