Solo then said she didn’t think “they’re going to make it far in the tournament”. “The better team did not win today. I strongly and firmly believe that”.
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Sundhage’s memories of this match may be even fonder, now that she’s now coaching Sweden, which upset the top-ranked Americans on penalty kicks following a game that ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite the USA dominating possession, Blackstenius broke through on a classic counterattack, splitting a pair of US defenders, latching onto a long ball and beating US goalkeeper Hope Solo to the far post.
The sides could not be split after 30 minutes of extra time, and penalty misses from Morgan and substitute Christen Press handed the initiative to the Swedes. With the next kick, Lisa Dahlkvist beat an outstretched Solo for the win. But after a Sweden goal, play opened up and the Americans took advantage.
Shots on goal vs. total shots statistics for both teams: 6 of 23 for the USA and 2 of 4 for Sweden. “I think it was very cowardly, but they won”.
Pia Sundhage’s native Sweden have reached the quarterfinal at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, but faced a stern challenge from the United States in Brasilia. The ensuing cross was deflected by a Swedish defender and almost went in for an own-goal.
That set off alarm bells for the U.S., who pushed for a quick equalizer but were repeatedly repelled by the Swedes’ low-block defense. Instead of the triumphant fanfare U.S. Soccer was likely expecting, it will be curious to see what direction they try to spin for marketing. After all, she was in goal as the US was shocked by Sweden on Friday in the quarterfinals, marking the first time the USA has failed to reach the semis in Olympic history.
“It’s always hard to swallow losing in PKs”. She later apologized and said she hadn’t meant to offend the host country.
We went to penalties, and a chance for Hope to made herself a hero and keep out the Swedish team. Still, though, something didn’t seem right, as crosses sailed just wide, shots went harmlessly into the stands and passes were misplaced at the feet of the defense. It’s been a busy couple of years. It’s smart and, actually, brave, because you’ll have to endure comments like this from the spoiled, take-victory-for-granted brats like Hope Solo if it actually works.
“Really just heartbroken right now for the girls and the federation”. The U.S. threatened three minutes into the game when Morgan’s header was cleared off the line, andMorgan Brian’s follow-up attempt was tipped over the bar by Sweden keeperHedvig Lindahl. “I feel like we were prepared but so were Sweden. I felt today could go either way”.
Solo must shake off the goalkeeping mistakes she made in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw vs. Colombia, while Lloyd will search for the higher gear that everyone knows she has, but has yet to appear in Brazil this month.
Prior to Friday the last time the United States won a medal in the men’s team foil competition was 1932. At the top of the box, Dunn flicked a header that caromed off Jessica Samuelsson and fell to Morgan for a left-footed one-timer into the low left corner, her fifth career Olympic goal. Sweden progressed to their first ever Olympics semifinal.
The crowd at Mane Garrincha Stadium was sparse but continued to jeer Solo every time she touched the ball.
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“She posted pictures of herself on social media wearing a mosquito net alongside the words “#zikaproof” back in July.
