Marta, the five-times world player of the year, missed Brazil’s fifth penalty of the shootout but Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara saved Australia’s last spot kick from Katrina Gorry to take it to sudden death.
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The Swedes stymied the powerful American attack and advanced to the women’s soccer semifinals at the Olympics, leaving the USA team empty-handed and with their earliest exit from a major tournament.
That prompted the US goalkeeper being provoked with cries of “Zika” at each goalkick by Brazilian fans amid the World Cup.
Though the tactic has worked for Solo in the past, an unperturbed Dahlvist calmly converted to end the United States dream of a fourth straight gold medal.
Sweden now move through to the semi-finals, as the USA women’s national team failed in their bid to win their fourth successive Olympic gold.
The last time the US lost a penalty shootout was in final of the 2011 World Cup against Japan.
“I think it’s unlikely”, Adams said. I’m going to Rio; she’s going home. “But it just wasn’t our day”.
Pugh’s future looks bright, as does that of forward Crystal Dunn, another Olympic rookie who also played well in Brazil.
The Americans won their first two matches in Brazil before a surprising 2-2 draw in Manaus against Colombia, which had already been eliminated.
But there was no bigger upset – in a long time – than the USA loss to Sweden.
It’s curious, then, where Solo learned a tactic she used that was – at best – a breach of sportsmanship.
“The game is the game, so I think tactically that’s the coach’s prerogative, the coach’s choice”, Ellis said.
Both teams had goals called back late in extra time and the contest went to a penalty shootout, which started badly for the U.S. as Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl stopped a less-than-potent shot from Morgan.
“I’m very proud of this team”, Solo said.
“I thought we played a courageous game”, Solo said. “The better team did not win”. A minute later, Lotta Schelin scored for Sweden.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo is one of the most recognisable stars in American sport, and after her side lost on penalties to Sweden, she unleashed a torrent of verbal abuse directed at the victors. They would not like to pass the ball. “They played more attacking football than we did”.
“It’s OK to be a coward if you win”, responded Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, the same woman who coached the United States to back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
“Losing sucks”, Solo tweeted. “I’m really bad at it”. Game over and Olympics over for the Americans, who entered as heavy gold-medal favorites.
RIO DE JANEIRO – Kyrie Irving scored 15 points and the USA men’s basketball team survived its second straight strong challenge in the Rio Games, edging Serbia 94-91.
Moore scored 12 points, and the Americans clinched the top seed in the group with an 81-51 win over Canada.
Tied after three rounds in the shootout of Friday’s match, Sweden captain Caroline Seger shot past Solo.
“We have always kept an open dialogue to communicate to her the importance of who she was and what she was doing and the possible impact she could have”, said Sharron Manuel, who with husband Marc raised three children outside of Houston. A smiling Dahlkvist then kicked the ball past her to clinch the win.
“I think we showed a lot of heart”, Solo told Sports Illustrated after the Europeans moved into the semi-final 4-3 on penalties. “No, that’s their choice”.
Sweden had won only five matches against the United States.
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Sweden inflicted America’s first defeat in 15 games at the Olympics. Well, usually – especially with the Americans – a good team is when they’re winning.
