Friday, September 22, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Hudson River Blue
New York City FC Official Gear
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • Game Recaps
    • Video Highlights
    • Player Ratings
    • Transfer News + Rumors
    • Tactics + Analysis
    • HRB Interviews
    • International Call-Ups
    • Oppo Research
    • Reader Polls
    • City Football Group News
    • FO News
    • Stadium Saga
    • Preseason
  • Schedule + Results 
    • NYCFC Schedule and Results
    • Game Recaps
    • Video Highlights
    • Game Day Hubs
    • Oppo Research
    • Leagues Cup
    • Hudson River Derby
    • MLS Cup Playoffs
    • US Open Cup
    • Campeones Cup
  • Opinion
    • Opinion
    • Tactics + Analysis
    • False 9
    • Hot Takes
    • Guest Columns
    • Predictions
  • Tri-State Soccer Scene
    • Tri-State Soccer Scene
    • Gotham FC
    • NYCFC II
    • NYCFC Academy
  • Fan Culture
    • Fan Culture
    • Kits + Merch
    • Food + Drink
  • About
    • About
    • Masthead
    • Privacy Policy
    • Opt-Out Preferences
Hudson River Blue
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion False 9

Over the Cliff: The US Women exit World Cup in disarray

Corey Clayton by Corey Clayton
August 6, 2023
in False 9, FIFA World Cup, Opinion
A A
1
Over the Cliff: The US Women exit World Cup in disarray

Let the finger-pointing begin.

The US Women’s National Team crashed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Sunday morning with a 5-4 penalty shootout loss to third-ranked Sweden after a scoreless draw. It’s the worst-ever performance for the Americans in nine Women’s World Cup appearances — all others saw the U.S. finish third place or better. And it’s the second major tournament in a row that the US women haven’t reached the Final — a first for this program.

The loss makes this World Cup, as Alexi Lalas deemed post-game, an “unmitigated disaster” for the US Women’s program. And if you were paying attention, it’s not like you couldn’t see this flame-out coming.

Like a bad “Price is Right” contestant playing Cliff Hangers, you know the yodeling mountain man is going to make that death fall, all because that contestant thinks a $25 toaster is $100 — just like many overestimated the potential of the two-time reigning World Cup champions in this go-around.

When the yodeling guy crashes hard, it was much like the US Women’s Team did in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

Let’s set aside how we feel about the past achievements of the US Women’s program overall: Their four world championships directly elevated the women’s game in America, and youth development, and a successful pro league. Plus there are the societal impacts on women, LGBT, and economic equality. Those legacies are untouched, and for the most part, unspoiled.

But in this incarnation of the U.S. Women’s National Team, with nine players over the age of 30 – and with a head coach whose tactics, team sheets, and substitutions drove many soccer media types to drink – there are serious questions that need to be answered.

238 scoreless minutes

Despite performing very well Sunday against Sweden, many will remember this 2023 World Cup for the USWNT record scoring drought, which is now at 238 minutes. Despite numerous chances, a nearly 60/40 possession advantage, and 11 shots on target turned away by Sweden’s keeper Zecira Musovic, the world’s No 1-ranked team couldn’t find the net.

Was this in part to the US Women fielding their least experienced Starting XI in 27 years? Was this due to Rose Lavelle’s costly yellow-card suspension?

83.7 – With an average of 83.7 caps entering today, the @USWNT has named its least experienced starting XI for a major tournament knockout match since the gold medal match in the 1996 Olympics (82.0). Refresh. pic.twitter.com/GdJf1ImXDZ

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) August 6, 2023

Honestly, for all of the tactical issues and mistakes Andonovski made in this World Cup, today’s lineup and tactics worked as well as they could. They seemed to outmatch Sweden for long stretches of the match, and had numerous scoring opportunities. Still, only one goal in the final three matches, and the refusal to use the young talent you brought to the World Cup in favor of aging players, is enough to earn Vlatko his walking papers.

There were some positives: How good was that US defense? Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher didn’t have to make a save until the 85th minute of today’s game — a streak of 355 minutes. And so many kudos for the play of San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma, who was a rock for the U.S. backline in all four matches.

Shot in the foot

The US had only lost one penalty shootout in Women’s World Cup history, in the 2011 Final vs Japan. They should have come out on top then. And they shouldn’t have lost today’s either.

While many would say a Penalty Shootout is similar to “playing the lottery,” that’s true if the goalkeeper guesses the right direction the player is kicking. But today, there was no “lottery” at all. Three U.S. players – Megan Rapinoe, Sophie Smith, and Kelley O’Hara – either skied their kick into the stratosphere, or clanged off the post.

That’s not “luck,” but lack of concentration, nerve, and poise — even more so for O’Hara, who came into the match as a late sub, just for the purpose of penalties. The keeper didn’t stop them. THEY stopped themselves.

Rapinoe, who ESPN labeled as “a shadow of her former self with shaky touches and poor set pieces,” called her miss a “dark comedy” — which I guess explains her laughing on the field after the miss. Remember, if she had converted, she would have won the match because of Naeher’s save on the preceding kick.

"I think this team has always fought for so much more and that's been the most rewarding part for me… To know that we've used our really special talent to do something that's changed the world forever." 🇺🇸❤️@USWNT's @mPinoe speaks with @JennyTaft after the game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NUx9Oku4mf

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023

After her laughing on the field after their 0-0 near-elimination vs Portugal, and her pre-match fashion show, Rapinoe made herself a magnet for her opponent’s ire. Even though she’s already announced her retirement from international football, and will likely end her NWSL career later this year, this missed opportunity will be a major mark on her legacy.

I can promise you this…any athlete competing against this team is motivated by this video. “Bulletin Board Material” as they say. #USWNT pic.twitter.com/wLimXJh24S

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 6, 2023

Side Note: Very interesting that Fox Sports Twitter account did not cut videos of ANY of the US Women’s missed penalties. Wondering if that’s to protect their multiple advertisers/sponsors that featured Rapinoe and Smith in ad campaigns that continue to run during World Cup broadcasts?

It is very sad that Smith missed the potential game-winning PK, skying it just like Rapinoe did the moment before her. But Smith, who will likely be a leader for the 2027 Women’s World Cup squad, likely to be hosted by USA/Mexico, it’s a life lesson she can build on, just like Carli Lloyd did.

Great life lesson for Sophie Smith, who will absolutely be back in 2027 in the likely USA-hosted #FIFAWWC https://t.co/LgAgm9AG35

— Corey Clayton (@CoreyClayton) August 6, 2023

And all-around kudos to US keeper Naeher, who did everything she could in a penalty shootout to keep her team in it, notching a save to offset Rapinoe’s miss. Alas, the Goal Decision System can be a cruel mistress, which showed her final PK crossed the line by just 1 millimeter.

VAR is a cop. 😭 #USWNT #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/oOC2Z2rp68

— Christian Polanco (@chrispolanco) August 6, 2023

Versus the World: It’s Not Enough

As the Fox Sports post-match analysis broke down the match, it was Carli Lloyd — yes, THAT Carli Lloyd — who mentioned that US Soccer needs to evaluate their entire structure for women’s soccer, from youth development to the National Team.

“This is a whole moment to rebuild,” Lloyd said in the post-match remarks, “I think this stems from the youth level. I don’t think this is necessarily something that just came to fruition now … This needs to be the entirety of a rebuild.”

The 3Four3 coaching podcast also came to the same conclusion, namely that the US Women continue to rest on their previous athletic advantages to roll the rest of the world. And that game has gone stale.

The #USWNT's current struggles are something that has been evident over the past 5-10 years and, to a lesser but still noticeable extent, since the 90s.

The women were never truly "great."

They never played technical or tactical football – two keys to playing the game to its… pic.twitter.com/W5pMf5Mmwz

— 3four3 (@3four3) August 6, 2023

But now, as top soccer countries invest even meager amounts in their own women’s soccer development programs, it appears many of the Top 20 ranked nations have improved to the point where they can respectfully challenge the world powers — the US, England, Sweden, Germany, and the like.

As the previous “golden generation” of USWNT vets age out (Rapinoe, Morgan, etc.) we’re left with a young and untested core group that has yet to have a lot of serious international competition. And no, those numerous cupcake friendlies on home soil versus CONCACAF opponents to sell tickets and merchandise on your aging veterans’ reputation don’t count.

Much of that lies in the decisions made by head coach Vlatko Andonovski…whose tenure I would suspect will be corrected within weeks.

Vlatko Andonovski led the USWNT in two major tournaments — 2020 Olympics & 2023 World Cup..

They only won 4 of 10 games in those two competitions. 😳 pic.twitter.com/Utafxq9c2h

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) August 6, 2023

So, now, we go into a four-year cycle with no US Women’s team wearing that gold World Cup Champions badge on their kits. Rapinoe and Morgan will likely slip into future careers in politics and/or the sports PxP/pundit’s desk on TV. And that leaves a young core squad itching for new leadership and a new coach at the helm as the rebuild commences.

Much like the US Men’s team supporters waited with bated breath for a new head coach to be named (and then signed when Gregg Berhalter was rehired), the new women’s head coach will be decided by US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone and USWNT GM Kate Markgraf.

Hopefully, they make the right call, installing a leader that can drive and challenge this team to reach new heights, and not go cliff-diving again on the world’s biggest soccer stage.

Tags: FIFAMegan RapinoeSophia SmithSwedenUSAUSWNTVlatko AndonovskiWomen's World Cup
Corey Clayton

Corey Clayton

Corey Clayton writes the False 9 column for Hudson River Blue. A former sports journalist, pro wrestling columnist, podcaster, and newspaper editor, Corey is currently a news industry social media exec in NYC. He is a Founding Member Season Ticket Holder of New York City FC in Section 110, a charter member of The Third Rail and TR:Connecticut, and is a 15,000-goal scorer in Rocket League.  His soccer podcast project debuts in Summer 2023.

Comments 1

  1. Frank Romeo says:
    2 months ago

    Great commentary Corey! I’m now looking forward to the 2024 Summer Olympics for a taste of redemption.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

NYCFC Willets Point stadium to enter public review process

NYCFC Willets Point stadium to enter public review process

September 14, 2023
NYCFC goalless, winless in dull Hudson River Derby draw

NYCFC goalless, winless in dull Hudson River Derby draw

September 17, 2023
Hudson River Blue's NYCFC Playoff Thermometer

2023 NYCFC playoff vibes UPDATED

September 20, 2023
NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese

NYCFC vs New Jersey Red Bulls player ratings

September 18, 2023
The refs made a NYCFC blown penalty call

Andrew Wiebe: NYCFC deserved penalty call

September 19, 2023
Hudson River Blue

A New York City soccer community
© 2023 Seawall Media LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • NYCFC Schedule and Results
  • Game Recaps
  • Player Ratings
  • Video Highlights
  • Opinion
  • False 9
  • Tactics + Analysis
  • Kits + Merch
  • Transfer News + Rumors
  • HRB Interviews
  • International Call-Ups
  • Food + Drink
  • Stadium Saga
  • Long Reads
  • Hudson River Derby
  • MLS Cup Playoffs
  • Leagues Cup
  • US Open Cup
  • Tri-State Soccer Scene
  • Gotham FC
  • NYCFC II
  • About
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Opt-Out Preferences
  • Masthead
  • Login

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}