Since 2008, the United States Women’s Soccer Team (USWNT) has been the powerhouse in Women’s International Soccer, sitting at #1 in the FIFA World Rankings. Female soccer icons such as Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Hope Solo, Julie Foudy, and Kristine Lilly have come and gone, making their mark on the soccer community and bringing the women’s side to the global stage. They were the true trailblazers for women’s soccer, creating international competition and arguably triggering other countries to create and invest in their female programs. Women’s soccer was only recently embraced in the 90s, and slowly sexism and stigmatization have faded out, and the beloved game for women is being taken seriously. The United States certainly set the fire, but other countries have caught up and are ready to take the torch.
Olympic Performance
The United States started on a bad note, losing 3-0 to a consistent rival, Sweden, in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Looking sloppy and disconnected, the reigning world champions could not find the back of the net or keep the ball out of theirs. As a result, their 44-game winning streak came to a screeching halt and was surely a slap in the face. Their next group stage game was a dominating 6-1 win over New Zealand. Then they played Australia and, after 120 minutes of play, tied 0-0, making it into the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands gave the United States gals a run for their money, sending the game into overtime and drawing 2-2 in regulation. However, the USWNT was able to come out alive, winning 4-2 in penalty kicks. Being arguably outplayed by a more technical team, the #1 team in the world scrapped together a win as they usually can do. In the Semifinal, a North American rivalry was set up in Japan, and Canada came out on top, ending both the USWNT hopes of securing a gold medal and its 20-year win streak against the neighbor up north. Canada will move on to the championship and play Sweden whilst the U.S. battles Australia for bronze.
Preparation
Leading up to the Olympics, the choice of competition for preparation to claim gold was questionable. In early June, the USWNT defeated Portugal – ranked 30th according to FIFA – 1-0. Their next international friendly was a 4-0 win against Jamaica, the 51st best team in the world. America then defeated Nigeria, the 38th ranked team, 2-0. Leading up to the sendoff to Tokyo, the United States beat Mexico twice, 4-0. Mexico was the best team the U.S. played, placed 28th.
The United States was not training against the best of the best. Sweden is ranked fifth, and the jump in level of competition is noticeable and significant. Was the United States doing everything it could to properly prepare for the Olympics? Were COVID-19 regulations a factor in determining international friendly opponents?
Is It Time to move on?
Carli Lloyd #10 of the USWNT sits on the field after a game between Canada and USWNT
(Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe are veterans of the program without a doubt. But are we holding onto them for too long? Carli Lloyd is 39 years old and has been with the team since 2005. Megan Rapinoe is 36 years old and has been on the national team since 2006. The impact these players have had in winning championships is undeniable. But why are they still here? Are there no other players who can contribute just as much, if not more?
The pool of players for the team is enormous, so why are we passing up healthy 24-year-old goal scorers to bring Lloyd and Rapinoe, who had little to no impact in most of the games? Is it because they are “faces of the team”? Do we bring them for their celebrity? The late 2000s and 2010s era of the USWNT have, for the most part, come and gone. But this performance may be a signal to let them all go and move on. We will never know the answer, but one thing is for sure. If the United States wants to win the next international competition, change must be made. When the Olympic roster was announced, fans were shocked, surprised, and confused.
Looking to the Future
The U.S. has heavily invested in breeding female soccer players through the NCAA college soccer programs and the NWSL. The NWSL was once the only major professional women’s soccer league, but that is no longer the case. Leagues across Europe in England, France, and Germany, as well as in South America, are being invested in by clubs with professional men’s teams. For example, Manchester United formed a women’s team that competes in the Super League along with other teams with Premier League “brother programs.”
The Women’s World Cup is just a few years away, running in 2024. Undoubtedly, the rest of the world will catch up with the United States. When will that happen, and when will they be surpassed? We don’t know. Losing one major tournament does not signal that the USWNT is no longer the best, but they certainly did not play like they are – and the performances from other teams show they are far behind in catching up.
~
Read more from Keelin Ferris.
