There is a feeling of melancholy spread across Melbourne this afternoon.
Entering this year’s World Cup, the U.S. Women’s National Team set out to do what no other squad has done before — win three consecutive gold trophies. Unfortunately, the Megan Rapinoe-led squad came up short on Sunday. After battling to a tie score of 0-0 through regulation, Sweden and the United States took the field to decide the game’s result through penalty kicks. In the end, America’s efforts proved to be futile as Sweden won 5-4 on penalty kicks. As a result, the U.S. Women’s National Team will not advance to the semifinals for the first time in the history of the Women’s World Cup.
“I am proud of the women on the field,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski said.
“I know we were criticized for the way we played, and for different moments in the group stage. I think we came out today and showed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery showed we did everything we could to win the game. And unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
Not only did this mark the end of the U.S. Women’s National Team’s latest World Cup run, but it also spelled the end of Julie Ertz’s career. After the match, she announced her retirement from the team.
“Unfortunately, this is my last time in this crest,” she told ESPN.
Ertz ends her career with two U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year honors, two World Cup titles and one appearance in the Summer Olympic Games. Her teammate, Megan Rapinoe, will also walk away from the sport at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season.
“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Rapinoe said.
“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it.”
