The casual cruelty of the game of soccer was on full display as the U.S. women’s national team was eliminated from the 2023 Women’s World Cup by the smallest of margins. Sweden handed Vlatko Andonovksi’s team its earliest exit in the World Cup, defeating the reigning champions 5–4 on penalty kicks, with Alyssa Naeher unable to keep out a tricky rebound after making a thrilling, potentially game-saving stop.
Many were skeptical of the USWNT’s chances against the Swedes after a disappointing showing in the group stage, but a savvy tactical adjustment buoyed the squad—the U.S. that opponents had come to know and fear was back. In an unexpected move, the typically conservative Andonovski called Emily Sonnett into the midfield, creating a double pivot with No. 6 Andi Sullivan. The shift allowed Lindsey Horan to charge into the attack, while providing outside backs Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox the ability to spring forward on the flanks. Connecting in the midfield and building up through the lines, the USWNT’s attack was humming, with the squad creating plenty of dangerous chances. Still, one thing eluded to the U.S., the thing that’s plagued the team all tournament: finishing. For that reason, the adjustment was simply too little too late.
Goals have been hard to come by in the Andonovski era, and this World Cup was no different. The team notched just four goals through four games, three of those coming against Vietnam. It's tough, if not impossible, to capture a third straight World Cup with that pervasive of a scoring drought. Logging 22 shots and 11 on target, the USWNT squandered a frustrating amount of opportunities in the final third against Sweden—and it didn’t help that goalkeeper Zecira Musovic had the game of her life, registering 11 saves.
