The United States Women's National Team were knocked out of the 2016 Rio Olympics by Sweden after losing 4-3 on Penalty Kicks.
The USWNT dominated possession and shot (27 for the US compared to 6 for Sweden) as Sweden sat back deep defensively and looked to counter. Despite the US dominating the ball, the USWNT found themselves down 1-0 after a 61st minute goal by Sweden player Stina Blackstenius who made a run through the box and slipped the ball far post past US keeper Hope Solo. Alex Morgan tied the game in the 77th minute after the ball was deflected off a Sweden defender's face and fell to Morgan in the box, who knocked it home with her favorite left foot. The game then went into extras for two 15 minute periods. The first 15 minutes were quiet for both teams however in the second 15 minutes saw chaos in a 30 second span. US captain Carli Lloyd put a header into the back of the net but was called offside. Replay looked like Lloyd was in fact onside but the goal was not allowed. Immediately after, a deflection in the US backline fell to a Sweden forward who put the ball into the back of the net but she too was called offside even though it looked from replay that she was onside. The game ended with a 1-1 scoreline and went into Penalty Kicks. The US went first and Alex Morgan's shot was block by Sweden's keeper. Hope Solo pulled one back for the US with a block but Christen Press sent her Penalty high over the bar and Solo could not rescue the US. Sweden won 4-3 on penalty kicks. The quarterfinal loss is the earliest Olympic exit for the US Women's National Team in it's history. Penalty Shootout: USA – Alex Morgan: Morgan’s shot to the left side was saved by Hedvig Lindahl. USA 0, SWE 0 SWE – Lotta Schelin: Schelin’s shot to the left side went in as Hope Solo guessed the other way. USA 0, SWE 1 USA – Lindsey Horan: Horan shot to the lower left corner to score. USA 1, SWE 1 SWE – Kosovare Asllani: Asllani sent her shot into the right side of the net as Solo jumped the other way. USA 1, SWE 2 USA – Carli Lloyd: Lloyd sent her shot into the upper left side with power, leaving Lindahl, who guessed correctly, no chance to save.USA 2, SWE 2 SWE – Linda Sembrant: Sembrant’s shot to the top left was saved by Solo who punched the ball over top of the net. USA 2, SWE 2 USA – Morgan Brian: Brian’s quick shot was unstoppable as it sailed high into the left side netting. USA 3, SWE 2 SWE – Caroline Seger: Seger shot to the right with a hard attempt that got past Solo, who guessed correctly. USA 3, SWE 3 USA – Christen Press: Press sent her shot over the top left side of the goal. USA 3, SWE 3 SWE – Lisa Dahlkvist: Dahlkvist sent her shot into the right side of the net as Solo jumped to the left. USA 3, SWE 4. FINAL The US Women's National Team gave away a stoppage time goal against Colombia to settle for a draw in the final game of Group G play. The 2-2 draw gave the USWNT team 7 points in three games and earns the US the top spot.
Colombia jumped to the lead in the 26th minute on a free kick goal that slipped through the legs of US keeper Hope Solo. Cyrstal Dunn leveled the scored after knocking home a rebound after captain Carli Lloyd had her shot deflected off the crossbar. Young 18-year old Mallory Pugh became the youngest US Women's National Team member to score in an Olympic competition after grabbing the lead for the US in the 60th minute. Pugh stayed calm dribbling through the box after collecting a Dunn cross into the box and having her initial shot hit teammate Christen Press. Colombia leveled the score on another free kick goal in the second half stoppage time after Hope Solo could not connect on the punch clearance and the ball sailed into the side netting. The USWNT finished atop of Group G with France finishing in second place with 6 points. The US women will next play August 12th at 12 PM ET on NBCSN against Sweden who finished third place in Group E. The United States Women's National Team defeated New Zealand in the opening game of Group G play for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Carli Lloyd opened the scoring in the 9th minute hitting a looping header to the far post off a Tobin Heath cross. Alex Morgan added the second US goal just after the start of the second half. Morgan beat the New Zealand keeper on a low near post shot after receiving the ball in the area from Morgan Brian.
The USWNT next play third ranked France in the second game in Group G action. USWNT v France takes place August 6th at 4 PM ET and will air on NBCSN. Both teams enter the match tied atop the group with 3 points as France won their first match against Colombia 4-0. Scoring Summary: 1 2 F USA 1 1 2 NZL 0 0 0 USA - Carli Lloyd (Tobin Heath) 9th minute USA - Alex Morgan (Morgan Brian) 46 |