In this episode, Santiago and Hal recap USWNT being eliminated by Sweden in the FIFA Womens World Cup.
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Hal Phillips – @mandarinhal
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USWNT ELIMINATED BY SWEDEN IN FIFA WWC
The United States crashed out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Sunday in a stunning result against Sweden in the round of 16, failing to reach the semifinals for the first time in the history of this tournament. A penalty kick by Sweden’s Lina Hurtig in the seventh round of a shootout deflected off the hands of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, but the ricochet was deemed to have crossed the line when examined by goal-line technology.
With Rose Lavelle unable to play, Vlatko Andonovski switched his formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 and fortified the midfield by introducing Emily Sonnett, an extra holding player alongside Andi Sullivan. The strategy worked beautifully as the Americans reasserted themselves in position and maintained more of the ball than they had in either of the last two matches. Wingers Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman looked exceptionally potent down the wings. The confidence and swagger returned.
But just as it has all tournament, the final product still eluded the United States. Finishing chances was — and still is — the biggest Achilles’ heel for a country that is transitioning from one generation of stars to another. The U.S. out-shot Sweden 22-9 overall and finished with an 11-1 edge in shots on target but was unable to beat goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who was the best player on the field for either team. Time and again Musovic, who plays for the English side Chelsea, thwarted the Americans with incredible saves and unflinching command of her penalty area.
All of which set the stage for a rollicking penalty shootout, a seesawing spectacle in which both nations held the upper hand at one point or another. A miss by the late substitute Kelley O’Hara afforded Sweden a chance to win it in the second round of sudden death penalties, and that’s when Hurtig’s shot deflected across the line to send the Americans home.
Meagan Rapone & Julie Ertz retires
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami advance after PKs in wild Leagues Cup game vs. FC Dallas
Lionel Messi found yet another way to live up to the Messi Mania hype.
And Inter Miami is moving on in the Leagues Cup after a thriller in Dallas.
Messi scored two goals, including the equalizer to tie the game at 4 in the 85th minute, and Inter Miami advanced past FC Dallas with a 5-3 edge on penalty kicks.
Four games. Four victories.
Messi and Inter Miami advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Aug. 11 or 12, where they await the winner of Monday night’s Houston Dynamo FC-Charlotte FC matchup.
Messi tied the game in the 85th with a brilliant free kick into the right side of the net.
Messi and Inter Miami advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Aug. 11 or 12, where they await the winner of Monday night’s Houston Dynamo FC-Charlotte FC matchup.
Messi tied the game in the 85th with a brilliant free kick into the right side of the net.
Inter Miami will play the winner of the Houston Dynamo FC vs. Charlotte FC game, which will be played Monday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston (10 p.m. ET on FS1, UniMás and Apple TV).
That Leagues Cup quarterfinals game is scheduled for Friday at DRV PNK Stadium. The time is TBD.
Tyler Adams to Chelsea?
PREDICTIONS
COL-JAM 4am
HP: COL
FRA-MOR 7am
HP: FRA
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
