The U.S. ladies’s nationwide crew did not simply lose on Sunday — it misplaced in maybe probably the most painful approach potential.
Within the longest match in Girls’s World Cup historical past, Sweden defeated the U.S. within the seventh spherical of a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless 120 minutes.
The sport profitable aim, scored by Sweden’s Lina Hurtig, was deflected twice by U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher however narrowly cleared the aim line by what gave the impression to be a mere millimeter.
Understandably, the devastating outcome had followers reeling on social media throughout and after the match. With the sport starting at 5 a.m. ET and a pair of a.m. PT, Individuals who awoke early or stayed up late had been met with pure heartbreak.
U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski was handed the blame by loads of followers on-line, largely resulting from his substitutions made all through the match. Megan Rapinoe got here on for Alex Morgan within the 99th minute, notably, and missed a penalty kick within the fourth spherical.
Whereas the ultimate outcome wasn’t what the nation anticipated, loads of hope stays for the way forward for the USWNT. Younger stars Sophia Smith, Noami Girma and Alyssa Thompson shall be anticipated to hold the Individuals into the long run.
