The United States Women’s National Team has been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup, making the end of one of the least impressive seasons in recent memory for the once-great team. The team received its earliest elimination from the tournament in team history after failing to beat Sweden in penalty kicks in the round of sixteen.
The Swedish team knocked off the American women in penalty kicks after the game could not be decided in the 120 minutes prior. Fox Soccer posted a Tweet sharing the penalty kicks in the game. Sweden won the game following a decision by the referees who, upon review, ruled that a kick crossed the goal line after it was unclear at full speed.
Every single penalty from the USA-Sweden shootout ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/c5b33aOsCu
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
Social justice activist Megan Rapinoe missed a crucial opportunity to change the outcome of the game with a penalty kick, but she was unable to convert the opportunity. After missing the game-changing kick, Rapinoe was seen smiling and received ridicule on the internet for her careless demeanor after the game.
Rapinoe explained this in a quote shared by ESPN, saying she felt that the game was “A sick joke. That’s why I had that smile on my face. Like, ‘You got to be f—ing kidding me. I’m going to miss the penalty?’ I honestly can’t remember the last time I missed a penalty, not in a game for a very long time. But that’s the way it goes. I’ve definitely thought about that before — it’s always a possibility when you step up there. But I thought I was going to make it. I thought everyone was going to make it.”
Rapinoe still did not seem too broken up over the loss, explaining that she is more happy about what she accomplished in the past. “I feel so lucky and so grateful to play as long as I have and been on as many successful teams as I have and be a part of a very special generation that has done so much on and off the field. It would be hard to feel disappointed in any type of way.”
First Lady Jill Biden took to Twitter to speak about her affinity for the team, even in the face of an embarrassing loss. She said, “@USWNT, you made this sport matter. Today, you inspired us with your grit and determination. We are proud of you. Always remember that you encourage women and girls everywhere to show up and fight for their dreams.”
As always, millions of Americans were rooting for the national team to play well and win the international competition. However, in the back of many minds, there was an overwhelming sense of disgust with the way that the USWNT politicized their skill and have spoken poorly of the USA. On a global stage, they are meant to be ambassadors to the world, and that role was not lived up to in recent years by this team.
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