By Juan Carlos Maygua
The USWNT made its long-awaited debut in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski brought the best and strongest squad possible to chase the gold medal, the 44 unbeaten game streak was going to be in play throughout the tournament.
Their rivals, Sweden, arrived at the match knowing that they were the only team that went head-to-headwith the National Team before the tournament. But what started as a game full of hopes and high expectations, became a reality check, shocking the sporting world in the process.
Outplayed
The game was difficult from start to finish, something understandable given both the circumstances and what was a play. It’s not easy to step into the field knowing that the expectations from the footballing world were on your shoulders. Inexplicably the team never really settled on the field. It was as if Sweden noticed that the team was off and went on the attack from the start.
The strategy became clear after the first 10 minutes. Neutralize Rose Lavelle in midfield and don’t allow Christen Press to make her runs down the wing. This in part, would isolate Alex Morgan and leave the National team without game generation opportunities. Sweden understood the task and executed the game plan close to perfection, if anything, Sweden played like the USWNT at times.
It only took 25 minutes for the opening goal to arrive. Sofia Jakobsson was left unmarked down the wing and was able to send a cross inside the box. Stina Blackstenius managed to header the ball inside the net near the post. With the score against them, the team failed to react and allowed the Swedish to control the game. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was a key asset for the National Team to keep the single goal disadvantage.
The Swedish failed to capitalize at least two one-on-one chances that should have decided the game in their favor.
In the second half, the USWNT came back determined to change things around. Alex Morgan was substituted by the legendary Carli Lloyd, who made an impact, creating spaces in the opposition’s box. However, the team was off despite the improvement brought in by Lloyd. The corner kicks were poorly executed, and misplaced passes allowed dangerous turnovers that kept the high pressing in full effect for Sweden.
StinaBlackstenius found the net in the 54th minute after catching a header shot that came off the crossbar. Megan Rapinoe was unable much either. It was just a matter of time before the third goal went up on the scoreboard. This observation came even after noticing the levels of fatigue from the Swedish. Lina Hurtig capped off an impressive performance from Sweden after yet another header goal in the 72nd minute.
A convincing victory saw no response from the National Team, outplayed for the first time in an official match. Crystal Dunn was outstanding in some interventions to cut off goal-scoring opportunities. The defeat signaled the end of the 44 unbeaten game streak, but worst of all, it gave an image never before seen from the USWNT.
The image of uncertainty, that they will have to use as motivation to turn things around. The next 48 hours will be crucial to see what the team is capable of doing.