By 
A lot for gold medal favorites. The No. 1-ranked U.S. ladies’s nationwide group was thrashed 3-0 by No. 5-ranked Sweden within the opening Olympic group-stage match for each groups. And it was by no means shut.
The USWNT, which entered the event on a 44-match unbeaten streak, was second finest from the opening whistle and was totally dominated by a Sweden aspect that was extra aggressive, sooner, stronger, sharper and brisker all around the area. Sweden’s urgent and attacking actions had the USA in disarray and the Individuals by no means recovered.
Stina Blackstenius scored twice and her substitute within the second half, Lina Hurtig, received a 3rd to cap a memorable efficiency by Sweden, which had knocked out the USA on the quarterfinal stage of the 2016 Olympics. The Individuals wouldn’t get their revenge on this occasion.
Blackstenius headed dwelling a cross from the correct within the twenty fifth minute after which put dwelling a rebound within the 54th minute after a nook kick was headed by a teammate off the left publish. One other cross from the correct discovered a wide-open Hurtig for a simple header to spherical out a shocking outcome within the 72nd minute. Here is why 3-0 was so beautiful: In 12 earlier matches performed in 2021, the USA had solely conceded a single aim — that was to Sweden in an April pleasant that completed 1-1.
MORE: Up to date ladies’s Olympic soccer group standings
There have been two moments when the momentum might have shifted within the USA’s path. Rose Lavelle headed a possible 1-1 equalizer off the left publish simply earlier than halftime and Christen Press hit the publish within the second half, simply earlier than Sweden struck for its third aim.
It was solely the second-ever loss in regulation suffered by the USWNT on the Olympics and probably the most lopsided loss in a significant event since a 4-0 loss to Brazil in a 2007 World Cup semifinal . However the U.S. will not be at risk of Olympic elimination for now. Within the subsequent match it faces the weakest group in Group G, New Zealand, understanding that the highest two groups in every group and the 2 finest third-place groups advance to the quarterfinals. In 2008 the USA misplaced its opener to Norway (2-0) and went on to win gold.
USWNT vs. Sweden remaining rating
| 1H | 2H | Remaining | |
| USA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sweden | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Aim:
SWE: Stina Blackstenius (Sofia Jakobsson) – twenty fifth min
SWE: Stina Blackstenius – 54th min
SWE: Lina Hurtig (Hanna Glas) – 72nd min
(All instances Jap)
Remaining: USA 0, Sweden 3
Remaining: You may be hard-pressed to recollect the final time the U.S. ladies’s nationwide group was that totally outplayed by an opponent. The Individuals have had their challenges in opposition to Sweden within the current previous, however this was wire-to-wire domination. A lot will likely be product of the U.S. lineup alternatives and the dearth of an efficient in-game adjustment by the teaching workers, however you had been anticipating to see a response in some unspecified time in the future, and it by no means got here. That may be probably the most stunning side of a outcome that will likely be arduous to shake off.
91st min: We’re in stoppage time and Christen Press forces an important save from the Sweden goalkeeper. Nice cross by Davidson to seek out Press in the course of the field and the ‘keeper makes a diving save.
81st min: SUBS – Crystal Dunn comes off. Tierna Davidson and Kristie Mewis enter the match for the USA.
72nd min: The USWNT goes from practically reducing the deficit to conceding a 3rd aim. Unimaginable. A cross from Glas on the correct and Hurtig is vast open to move dwelling. 3-0 Sweden.
71st min: The USA hits the publish once more! Rapinoe to Press, who hits the left publish, and the American gamers cannot get to the rebound.
seventieth min: Naeher must make one other save on one other Sweden shot. The Swedes usually are not afraid to let it fly.
sixty fourth min: SUBS – Megan Rapinoe enters the match for Tobin Heath. Blackstenius additionally comes off the sphere for Sweden and Hurtig takes her place.
61st min: After a Blackstenius shot is blocked by USWNT defender Dahlkemper on one finish, Carli Lloyd will get her first shot off on the opposite and it is deflected for a nook. Nothing comes of it for the USA.
54th min: Blackstenius doubles Sweden’s lead! A nook kick is headed off the left publish and Blackstenius is there to roof the ball on the doorstep for a 2-0 benefit. The USWNT surprised once more.
52nd min: Variation on a theme – Sweden additionally exerting themselves bodily. Kelley O’Hara is bodied twice and she or he was shaken up on each collisions. Play has to cease for therapy. She’ll proceed.
forty eighth min: Sweden need to preserve the attacking momentum and it is Rolfo firing a long-distance shot that goes excessive.
forty sixth min: SUBS – To begin the half the USWNT brings on Julie Ertz for Sam Mewis and Carli Lloyd is available in for Alex Morgan. It is the primary look for Ertz since a knee damage suffered within the NWSL in Might.
Halftime: USA 0, Sweden 1
Halftime: Onerous to imagine this USWNT is the favourite to win the Olympic gold. The U.S. ladies had been on the again foot from the very begin and had been second finest for your entire first half and are fortunate to not be down by two or three objectives. The Swedes are aggressive with their urgent, sharp with their passing and are frankly bossing this sport. A disjointed, sloppy USWNT which may’t get something proper wants a sub or two to vary the momentum.
forty fifth min: Rose Lavelle heads it off the left publish! The USWNT practically tied it simply earlier than the break. Lengthy diagonal ball by Kelley O’Hara and the ball finds Lavelle in stride within the field.
forty third min: Lengthy ball excessive and Blackstenius brings it down superbly with solely the ‘keeper to beat, however she will be able to’t discover her footing and misses the possibility.
thirty sixth min: What a long-distance strike by Jonna Andersson and U.S. ‘keeper Naeher stops the bending ball proper on the aim line.
thirty first min: And the USWNT get an opportunity to speak it over throughout a hydration break. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski giving his group a pep speak.
thirtieth min: One other goal-saving sort out by Crystal Dunn on Jakobsson.
twenty sixth min: Livid response from the USWNT and Tobin Heath will get a shot off that hits the ‘keeper, however she was offside. Rose Lavelle began that play.
twenty fifth min: And there is the aim by Sweden. Cross from the correct and Blackstenius heads dwelling within the six-yard field previous Naeher. Sweden rewarded for a dominant begin.
twenty third min: USWNT actually look surprised and can not seem to recuperate. Two straight photographs by Sweden and Naeher has to dive low to parry the ball away on each events.
fifteenth min: What an opportunity for Sweden! A giveaway by Dunn turns right into a shot on aim by Blackstenius and it is proper at Naeher. The Dunn giveaway sums up a really uncharacteristic begin from the USA.
14th min: Massive cease by U.S. ‘keeper Naeher on a shot by Rolfo that was destined for the low proper nook. One other Sweden nook kick, however the USWNT survives.
eleventh min: A response from the USWNT – header by Alex Morgan and a long-distance shot from Tobin Heath moments later.
eighth min: Crystal Dunn with an incredible sort out in her personal field to stop a point-blank shot on aim. When Sweden assaults, it simply penetrates the U.S. protection.
fifth min: Sweden with two straight nook kicks and the excessive press is working for them. The USWNT is on its heels to start out the match.
4th min: The USWNT has a tough time clearing a Sweden set piece in their very own field. Lastly, a Sweden shot goes vast.
2nd min: The jerseys are a bit completely different:
1st min: And we’re off. Sweden with the early spell of possession.
4:28 a.m.: Scene on the stadium earlier than kickoff:
4:25 a.m.: Kickoff’s virtually right here. Anthems are being performed now.
4:01 a.m.: The numbers level to the USA successful, however Sweden has performed the Individuals powerful lately:
3:48 a.m.: LA Occasions reporter Kevin Baxter is on the bottom in Tokyo:
12:30 a.m.: Watch this video and you will have all of the adrenaline you will must get you thru the 2 hours:
12:23 a.m.: First early morning with Olympic soccer. Promise, it will not be this dangerous:
USWNT vs. Sweden beginning lineups
All eyes are on U.S. ladies’s nationwide group head coach Vlatko Andonovski and his first beginning lineup in his first main competitors. Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd start the match on the bench alongside holding midfielder Julie Ertz, who is out there as a sub after an extended damage layoff.
In the meantime, the Swedes are popping out in a mirror 4-3-3 formation as an alternative of a five-defender set-up. Defender Magda Eriksson’s shock absence from the matchday roster appears to be damage associated , whereas Juventus ahead Lina Hurtig begins on the bench.
MORE: U.S. ladies Olympic group roster
USA
USWNT starters (4-3-3, left to proper): 1-Alyssa Naeher — 2-Crystal Dunn, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 17-Abby Dahlkemper, 5-Kelley O’Hara — 3-Samantha Mewis, 9-Lindsey Horan, 16-Rose Lavelle — 11-Christen Press, 13-Alex Morgan, 7-Tobin Heath
USWNT substitutes: 18-Adrianna Franch-GK, 12-Tierna Davidson, 14-Emily Sonnett, 8-Julie Ertz, 6-Kristie Mewis, 10-Carli Lloyd, 15-Megan Rapinoe. Sitting out: 22-Jane Campbell-GK, 20-Casey Krueger, 19-Catarina Macario, 21-Lynn Williams
Sweden
Sweden starters (4-3-3, left to proper): 1-Hedvig Lindahl — 2-Jonna Andersson, 14-Nathalie Bjorn, 13-Amanda Ilestedt, 4-Hanna Glas — 17-Caroline Seger (capt.), 9-Kosovare Asllani, 16-Filippa Angeldal — 18-Fridolina Rolfo, 11-Stina Blackstenius, 10-Sofia Jakobsson
Sweden substitutes: 12-Jennifer Falk-GK, 3-Emma Kullberg, 5-Hanna Bennison, 15-Olivia Schough, 20-Julia Roddar, 7-Madelen Janogy, 8-Lina Hurtig. Sitting out: 22-Zecira Musovic-GK, 6-Magdalena Eriksson, 19-Anna Anvegard, 21-Rebecka Blomqvist
Methods to watch USA vs. Sweden Olympic soccer
- Date: Wednesday, July 21
- Time: 4:30 a.m. ET
- TV channel: USA Community
- Spanish-language TV: Telemundo
- TV replays: NBCSN (8:30 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET)
- Streaming: fuboTV , NBCOlympics.com, TelemundoDeportes.com, NBC Sports activities app and Telemundo Deportes app (with consumer authentication)
USA vs. Sweden will air stay on USA Community and Telemundo at 4:30 a.m. ET. The match is scheduled to be replayed on NBCSN at 8:30 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET Wednesday. NBCSN could be streamed with fuboTV (free 7-day trial) .
MORE: Full Olympic ladies’s soccer schedule
All Olympic soccer matches will likely be streamed within the USA on NBCOlympics.com, TelemundoDeportes.com, the NBC Sports activities app and the Telemundo Deportes app — all with consumer authentication.
Comments