USWNT get Vlat-KO'd by Sweden in Round of 16 | FIFA World Cup Reaction

Listen to all our Men in Blazers podcasts:
Wondery | mibcourage.co/43QaCW3
iTunes | apple.co/3oxDKj3
Spotify | spoti.fi/3B4eCpe
and all major podcasting apps.
Connect with us on social
Twitter | / meninblazers
Instagram | / meninblazers
Tik Tok | / meninblazers
Facebook | / meninblazers
Threads | www.threads.net/@meninblazers
Rog on Twitter | / rogbennett
Davo on Twitter | / embassydavies
Still want to know more about Men in Blazers? Right this way → meninblazers.com/

[@meninblazers]

GFOPs! What are you feeling other than sleep-deprived?

[@TzunSu]

As a Swede, I'm feeling glorious :D

[@cfbg]

Happy !!

[@Delboy0]

Anyone else notice the USA keeper looks like Jamie Carragher in drag?

[@marshvelon569]

Feeling bummed yet happy. The comback will be amazing 😎

[@cheyennestandridge5266]

@@Delboy0Alyssa Naeher is a world class elite athlete who is so far above anything you have ever done, she’ll never even know your name, and this is your contribution. Pathetic.

[@danield8094]

Lynn showed exactly what fresh legs looked like. She was running down balls that should've been easy for the defenders to get to. I just don't understand how Vlatko can see Lynn running down these balls and thinking "No, we don't need anymore fresh legs on the field."

[@kristiannelson1851]

Agreed. Dunn was coming off the field at the end of regulation looking completely done (no pun intended), spent, and shaking her head like she couldn't go on, and she still wasn't subbed for.

[@laurenbonzell7292]

& she had a great connection going with Morgan, with the way the momentum of the game was going I really felt like they were going to put one away

[@indoindo7781]

That why Vlat- ko has got to go 😢😢😢

[@marcdavis4509]

Can we talk about how big Naeher was in the shootout. Made a save and then crushed her penalty shot. How many keepers do that? Incredible.

[@redheadredemption1573]

May have been the game of her life, and she's had some big ones for us. I feel for everyone on the team, but Alyssa deserved to win. Gutted for her and Rose in particular

[@kristiannelson1851]

Absolutely! She's been performing terribly all year. And then to pull this out, when they needed her most? Stepped up huge!

[@allistar34]

didn't even run up, just planted a foot and kicked right down the middle. incredible!

[@emanuelmunoz9547]

Emily Sonnett and Andi Sullivan played so well on putting pressure and intercepting the ball.

[@Edwardianschool]

Best thing to come out of this WWC is finding the cross-cultural genius of Roger’s Men in Blazers & Sam Mewis heart-on-sleeve commentary, and Tobin Heath’s & Christen Press’ amazingly deep, analytical, & informative Re-Cap show. Oh, and finally taking the time to look up what the hell a millimeter is! 🇺🇸⚽️🇺🇸

[@GVike]

Heath and Press could have helped down there in AUS/NZ... freakin injuries...

[@kristiannelson1851]

Completely agree! Yes it sucked not having these players at The Cup. But for the first time ever, we've been able to hear directly from these great players what they feel and think about everything, in real time during the tournament! It's been awesome!

[@Whitebreadonly]

@eddieg513 you seriously didn’t know what a mm was??

[@agn855]

It’s the USofA. Babysteps. 1st football, 2nd the metric system, 3rd proper healthcare,…

[@Edwardianschool]

@@Whitebreadonly Google says it’s equivalent to the tip of a sewing needle. In the US, we think in inches, it turns out a millimeter is 1/32 of an inch. So yeah, should probably learn metric one day.

[@FirstLast-bn6nl]

33:53 I am SO happy for the Mewis family. I was so invested in her making that PK because I was so invested the Sam's emotions.

[@Jim-nt7xy]

the team was a mm away from losing to Portugal and being eliminated like Canada, Germany and Brazil

[@KenUbeleveit1]

Right! That post rescued team usa. They were saved by a metal pole.

[@seanlindo3548]

Okay? Those are big names for the Men’s side, but not Women’s. This is a failure.

[@ZachTank2009]

@@seanlindo3548 Canada, Germany, and Brazil are ranked 7, 2, and 8 in the world in Womens football/soccer. They are ranked 43, 15, and 3 in the world in the men’s game.

[@FirstLast-bn6nl]

Lindsey Horan had FOUR shots that could have gone in (3 stopped by the goal keeping of the year and 1 by the crossbar). It's a game of inches. I'M SO PROUD OF THEM!

[@MindSSetMedia3241]

None from four,that’s bad,nothing good about that, so glad the activists got beat..

[@Agtsmirnoff]

Proud of failure? Pathetic

[@LAP02]

It's never about the number of shots... it's everything about how many went in.

[@leomyers9220]

Sweden Goalkeeper made 11 Saves

[@MindSSetMedia3241]

@@leomyers9220 11, wow,you mean the activists had 11 shots on goal and couldn’t score one. My word that’s terrible. The activists are no good,

[@kidjayhawk]

I think we are fine. Swanson will be back. new coach. I don’t feel bad about the future. Love Mew Mew!

[@re-tire985]

Agree without the Megan toxic culture. Sophia Smith is a superstar

[@hehenah4308]

Add on cat maccario to that as well! We needed her badly this tournament

[@drogba4evah672]

This team has way too much talent to have struggled so badly to create loads of good chances. The coach's tactics were absolutely dreadful,absolutely no flow in possession from back to front. What a disappointment.

[@hsmd4533]

They disappointed their country with their behavior. Glad they lost.

[@james4jane4]

Also the accuracy and handling of the ball by some new players was just not up to par. Night and day with the Japanese women. I think Japan would’ve won them even if they advanced with how they were playing.

[@amigosplayground]

With a better coach, they would have gone much farther

[@michaelp6376]

Game was rigged by FIFA technology.

[@heppolo]

The chances creation was already a problem back in...2016. But at the time set pieces managed to bail out USWNT in dead rubber game, that was what Pinoe was supposed to do this time, but the days of Olimpico corners are long gone by her.

[@davidbohmiller]

Big fan of Sonnett, especially for her communication on the field. Outside of verbal communication, which we don't always hear through the TV, she always seems to be consistent in providing physical cues to other players, pointing and helping to direct the flow of play effectively. I'd imagine that's helpful to all, though especially to those new to such a stage.

[@bettysteward-anderson5647]

We missed you Sam in mid, Mallory up top and Becky in back. That’s a straight line of huge loss😢. Woman did the best they could by themselves. USSF be better with development and coaches.

[@gdaigle9500]

You can’t miss 3 PK’s though. SS was kicking for the win.

[@Kingfisher1215]

If only we had some mediocre guy or two move over to play on the women’s team.

[@GVike]

Don't forget Catarina Macario...

[@hf6451]

Why wasn’t Sam there? Did she retire?

[@ranndino]

What? Did the USSF score only 1 goal after the first game or miss those penalties?

[@robrhoden4819]

Finally adjusting to 4-2-3-1 helped. Sonnett was good, and Sullivan was finally good. The biggest mistake was putting in Rapinoe so early. Williams for Rodman worked; Williams was torching the right flank. If we put in Thompson instead of Rapinoe, we have a chance to do the same on the left flank--or at least stretch them with concern. With Rapinoe, who's slow now and plays heavily inverted, we shrank all that space and became predictable. (And it was clear against Vietnam that Rapinoe wasn't in form.) Smith and Morgan had to be tired after so many minutes, and Morgan was also ineffective all tournament. We score 4 goals in 4 games, 3 against an overmatched opponent in game one. We fail to score in open play for 3 GAMES. So that's also a reflection on how this team was trained. (Lavelle's suspension was unlucky, pretty BS when you rewatch her second yellow.) Those of us who have been watching the team this cycle have been concerned. Under VA, they've generally been stagnant in the final third, over-reliant on individual effort instead of combinations. Vlatko needs to go. Good news: we have some great young players in Girma, Fox, Swanson, Macario, Smith (who has to improve consistency and passing), Thompson. Others, like Lavelle and Horan, aren't done yet. Our defense was fantastic. But we've got to install a coach who can teach and insist on crisp, clinical attacking and finishing.

[@beachliving3127]

Rapinoe and O’Hara never should have been on the squad. They should have been on a wagon going to the abattoir vs on the pitch for the US National team. In addition Alex Morgan should have been coming off the bench. Baby Horse couldn’t keep up with the herd on a long trek. This was known ahead of time and subbing her out shows she ran out of gas. She should have been available coming off the bench in the second half. Time to get rid of all those over the age of 30. They will be 35 and over for the next cup. They have too much mileage on their legs fighting against Father Time. It’s tough but it has to be done if you want to position a team for the next cup. The coach has to go. Winning is important and is always the fine line to determine success and failure. He should have made changes earlier to get to them involved. He had people to sub but didn’t use them. The subs he did use during money time were old dinosaurs that were past their prime. Those dinosaurs (O’Hara and Rapinoe) will have to deal with the bile from choking for the rest of their lives. Luckily Sophia Smith should have a couple of chances to redeem herself in the future and one day the taste of bile will be removed. I feel for the team and wish them success in the future.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

@@beachliving3127 The US needs a new striker. Sophia Smith isn't it.

[@beachliving3127]

@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 You might be right, however the first thing is to clean house. Send walking papers to all of those over 30 and start fresh. I don’t like the fact that she choked BIG TIME during the penalty shootout but I’m willing to give her another chance to see what she can do on the time.

[@genericuser6023]

Stop making excuse for Vladko. This is on him. He have the talent and depth, he just let them collect dust on the bench. Morgan was woeful, and don't bring on a 38yr old when we have a an actual18yr old track star.

[@Agtsmirnoff]

“18 year old track star” There is your problem, USA relies too much on athleticism, and not technical ability or tactics

[@kheldaryt]

@@Agtsmirnoffnah, OP just correctly pointing out US played a washed old player instead of viable player

[@lourams8433]

You are very right.

[@beachliving3127]

@@AgtsmirnoffRapinoe and O’Hara only made the team because of injuries to other key players and the coach trying to roll back time. Father Time showed him the error of his ways. They should have sent Rapinoe and O’Hara to the abattoir earlier this year. They carried forks in their luggage because we all knew they were done.

[@Agtsmirnoff]

@@kheldaryt Yes they played washed up old players who also have minimal technical ability and now lack the athleticism they once had...so they have little to contribute.

[@NoneofURBiz297]

I am sad for the Players but I am absolutely Mad at Vlatko, his team and the Executive that put him there instead of Laura Harvey!

[@heppolo]

Laura Harvey may not be as good as the idea of Laura Harvey.

[@JP-xq7fo]

We don’t develop coaches… and the federation love’s mediocrity…

[@petesjk]

@@Chris-us6xjDid you watch the game? Vladco pulled Alex Morgan out of the game when she was one of the few striking the ball with accuracy and authority on the net. What if Morgan took the penalty instead of the tired inexperienced Smith? That’s all on Vladco. Freaking idiots didn’t even watch the game need to STFU.

[@lourams8433]

No need to worry, next WC, we will still allow Rapinoe to be part of the team.

[@genericuser6023]

Girma and Fox stood out👌

[@GVike]

Girma is the truth

[@Tedisntakidanymore]

The '23 WC will be remembered as "Vlatko's folly." Even with all of the injuries, this team had enormous talent. We saw that on display this morning. They dominated the Swedes, but got stoned by their GK. That happens. This same talent, with a few personnel changes, can win gold next summer at the Olympics under a new coach.. USSF should hire Laura Harvey, and just watch what happens.

[@Vickzq]

There aren't any enormous talents in women's football. People need to stay realistic.

[@Edwardianschool]

Vlatko’s fumble!

[@W4TSKY]

"Vlatko's Folly" could describe his entire tenure as coach there! First time in almost 3 decades the USWNT are neither defending Olympic gold medalists or Women's World Cup champions. And it's not due to the lack of talent or the world catching up...

[@Vickzq]

@@hightide4782 Men do not deal in pussy currency, sorry. Women need to talk bad about other women because of feeling insecure... men just state what they see.

[@Rootcauz]

How the fuck does Alex Morgan not score the whole tournament. How does that even happen.

[@lee-kikmong]

she is old

[@GVike]

Age... not being utilized by Vlatko properly... teams figuring them out...

[@jonwj8622]

Because she is no longer good....she did a little better than Rapinoe(who was absolutely atrocious this WC) but you could see how neither of them were effective against players younger and faster than them. They've had great careers but Morgan should have been a 70th minute sub so she could go against tired defenders. Rapinoe should never have seen the pitch. I don't know if Vlad was pressured into playing her but especially against Sweden she looked like she was exhausted before she even subbed into the game. All of her free kicks were short and weak, her touches were terrible, she was the slowest person out there by far. Even when she stepped up to take the penalty kick which is the one thing I would have said sub her in for, she looked terrified and like she had no confidence in herself. She's always been an arrogant player and hopefully this humbles her a little because she ended her career on a terrible note

[@Delboy0]

It is clear NWSL is now the MLS of women’s and big star there is no longer international standard players. I think the USA stars have to go England of the gap between the USA and Europe will get too big.

[@JamesCM86]

Emma Hayes said the same. Majority of the USA players play in their own domestic league. The NWSL is quite odd to watch, no tactics just run fast and vibes

[@christopherorman5769]

Have you even watched WEL? This is not like MLS that came into being years and years after La Liga and EPL. NWSL has the better players. The idea that European tactics are ahead of NWSL is not accurate either. This is a wake up call, if anything, about college and the development of youth. But we have seen that starting to change in the states anyway. Smith left college early. Moultrie didn't go to college (and she will be part of the team next cycle). Thompson as well. They are like Pulisic and the Aaronson brothers in that way. So the idea of players developing outside of the college system has started. Pay to play in the US has always been a problem, but I don't see it being as big of an issue for the women's game. As far as improving technique and being better on the ball, when players like Sanchez get the chance to play, you will see it. The issue is that Vlatko relied on players like Morgan, Ohara, and Rapinoe that clearly are older and lack that ability because they never needed to develop it. Also, people forget how young Sophia Smith and Rodman are. Give them four years, and then tell me they lack technical ability. Lastly, time to bring on players like Huerta, Morgan Weaver (who for some unknown reason hasn't been called in!) and dozen of other young, young players.

[@Delboy0]

@@JamesCM86it was noticeable teams with high numbers of NWSL were eliminated early ie USA, Brazil and Canada.

[@Delboy0]

@@christopherorman5769yes I have watched and the NWSL is all kick and rush football that is all about transition, running and speed and one on one play. Carli Lloyd, Morgan, Horan, Mewis, Lavelle, Press and Health who have played in Europe and NWSL all day the same thing. The football in Europe is tactically more sophisticated and more technical from the matches to the practices each day. And they know more than you or me.

[@timmurphy5736]

@@christopherorman5769 sorry buddy but either of Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City women would wipe up the NWSL, nevermind what Barcelona or Wolfsburg would do. The NWSL is not developing players to be successful outside of the States.

[@Delboy0]

Lalas said the realist thing he has ever said for once. He said the USWNT have built their brand on being best and most dominant team in world football. It is the reason they get such prominence in the mainstream media in the USA and why they got the equal pay deal. If the rest of the world has surpassed them, the USA no longer win world cups, Lalas said his fear is the USWNT become irrelevant in the US culture landscape. I kind of agree him because Americans got into road cycling when American Lance Armstrong dominated it, then lost interest when he left the sport and wasn’t winning. The same happened with heavyweight boxing where the champions where no longer American so Americans moved in to MMA where American champions were guaranteed

[@FirstLast-bn6nl]

American nationalism always works this way in "non American mainstream sports". Just check the Olympics where NBC focuses on the US athletes that are expected to WIN their events and ignores the rest.

[@beachliving3127]

Sometimes Lalas makes sense but not always. They USWNT got prominence because they WON. The 2015 and 2019 teams didn’t get equal pay but brought home the hardware. Whether watching Women playing soccer will continue to grow if we don’t win is a very valuable point. There is more structure in the Women’s organization to support the continued strength if done right. Little girls don’t have American Football to play and soccer can soak up players for that game that would not occur with little league football. Men’s soccer in the USA is a joke. People only watch the Men’s team during the ramp up to the Olympics. If we won more maybe more interest but even that is hard to predict. Until we get someone with the speed of an NFL Cornerback or running playing we won’t win. An NFL Cornerback can run faster backward than any of the stiffs plying their trade in the MSL. I do think that Men’s soccer could get the influx of talent to succeed Nationally because of the concern of American football. It is already reported that some schools have problems getting players to play because Parents (mostly Mothers) are concerned about little Johnny turning into a vegetable at age 40. The only reason Messi came to the USA is to get paid. If he still has some legs left, he would be plying his trade in one of the major Premier Leagues in Europe. Boxing became less popular due to multiple organizations claiming titles plus the true barbaric nature of the sport have changed the audience. I remember watching those 15 round fights of Yesteryear and screaming with joy when the opponent got his bell rung. However, the sport is being pushed to the fringes due to the awareness that it damages people. Seeing Muhammad Ali and other great fighter deteriorate because of their ring adventures changes people.

[@Delboy0]

@@beachliving3127 I have not read so many points I disagree with. In the women’s game I don’t think there is structure to be successful in the future. Now the real soccer nations are taking football seriously and bringing in traditions and expertise of the men’s game to the women’s game you now seeing the weaknesses that existed in men’s soccer in women’s soccer for the first time. In fact the USWNT have worst structure than the men, because they don’t have MLS talent based academies to give kids from lower incomes a chance to be professionals. And now you have giant men’s clubs building academies for girls as well as footballs association having football schools of excellence. This will lead to a huge gap between the quality of player Europe produces and USWNT has, leading to women’s not being competitive in the World Cup. US men’s soccer might not be as successful, mainly due to men’s soccer being a far more competitive environment than women’s soccer. But men’s soccer is still the most popular and most watched form of soccer in the USA. The USMNT in the World Cup gets higher ratings than women’s team because Americans know it is the biggest event in world sport. And the men’s team are actually improving because of MLS academies giving more opportunities for players to become professionals. But I’m of this American assertion that if the best athletes played men’s soccer they would dominate. Soccer is not a simple sport like American sports where raw athleticism makes the biggest difference. There is a technical and tactical element to soccer that make the elite teams. If soccer was all out raw athleticism African teams would dominate men’s soccer because they have more of the best athletes in the world. England have a history in the sport, the money, the passion, the technical skills, the best athletes in Europe and they don’t win titles because they lack the tactical element in coaches who are effective in the big games, and it is not like USMNT don’t have top tier athletes with Walker, Mckennie, Robinson, Musah and Balogen. Part of the problem with American soccer is over emphasis on athleticism due to the American sports culture and not enough on the technical and tactical skills in youth development. The USA women used to dominate on raw athleticism because they had the best athletes in soccer, but now the rest of the world is funding female soccer and bringing tactical and technical advancements to the female game, the raw athleticism of the USA no longer brings success or even goals. And your explanation for boxing decline in America is respectfully nonsense. If the brutality of boxing was the reason for it’s decline then how to do you explain the booming of UFC, a far more brutal form of combat sport? Americans stopped dominating boxing and Americans wanted to see American champions. Wilder the rare American heavyweight champion was allowed to dodge all the best fighters for 5 years without being stripped of his titles, because he was deemed too valuable being an American heavyweight world champion.

[@beachliving3127]

@@Delboy0 All of your written comments about the decline of American Women Soccer occurred because a Swedish Goalie played out of her mind and the US has beens missed some PK’s? I don’t agree. Don’t get me wrong, the better team won but the US team played a dominating style as we had in the past. We didn’t put the ball in the net and the Coach used players more suited to the abattoir (Rapinoe and O’Hara) than the Pitch. Why did we have a lack luster the first couple of games? Hard to say why but the knockout game proved we could do a lot better with the players from our system. I don’t think a great European Soccer coach could have changed the missed PK’s. I am more confident with what we have than the doomsayers. We need to recognize that the greats of yesterday haven’t earned the right to continue to play at an elite levels and kick then to the curb. Whenever I see teams continue to have their aging dinosaurs on the team, they don’t have the intestinal fortitude to kick butt. Jill Ellis relegated Abby Wambauh to the bench in 2015 and Carli Lloyd in 2019. The current coach didn’t do this because he though the has beens could add value behind the scenes. In other nations, soccer is the only sport available. We in the USA have many more outlets for the masses of kids to view. The masses have access to baseball, basketball, and football as options besides soccer. Other countries just don’t have this option and have a higher pipe line into soccer. When I was in HS, I remember a coach saying that for every 100 kids maybe 5% might have the raw talent to compete in any sport. The more you get those kids into the desired sport, the more choices you will have. Our 5% compete in more sports other than soccer in the USA. Brasil, Argentina, Germany, and England don’t have to compete with American football, basketball, and baseball in large numbers. They can get the 5% elite athletes into soccer. I chose an NFL defensive back as an example because that position requires the skill and athleticism that would take us to the next level. There is a huge difference between an NFL American DB and RB than any of type of player in the rest of the world. Who else has the agility of a athlete like Deion Sanders or the quickness of Barry Sanders on their teams. When we get these types earlier enough in the system we will hoist the cup. In addition, the quickness of a Steph Curry or Allen Iverson would blow the other team out of the water. These guys choose basketball in the USA but choose soccer in other places. Basketball players have immense skill and it isn’t just about athleticism. I would rather have the most talented athlete with great technical skill than a good athlete with great technical skill. In the US, we can change the game by using our athleticism to compete. If you have apples, you make apple sauce, lemons you make lemonade, and maple tress produce maple syrup. Other countries grow only one type of tree while we have many more to choose.

[@agn855]

@@beachliving3127 - really? Take whatever amazing American Top athlete give’m a ball and put him in front of a (dwarfy) Lionel Messi. A split second later that athlete will lose the ball bc of the lack of being able to control the ball (especially at high speed). You won’t get better apples from top-lemons. If speed would be *the main thing* in football Usain Bolt would have easily made it once he joined a football team after ending his career as the world’s fastest sprinter. But he failed. And btw, all sports you’ve mentioned are accessible in Europe too, but aren’t much of public interest bc they aren’t historically deeply rooted in its societies. Your young country popped up with nearly all games at fashion at the same time hardly pushed by an commercialization effort, contrary to European standards where (ie German) clubs are owned by its fans ("50+1-Regel") instead of a franchise industry. Interesting video about athletics and football… kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV6xpYJoe9yGgZI

[@PBLeagues22]

Sophia Smith was a zero. Just a complete rally killer every time she touched the ball. Midfield and backline were excellent.

[@kheldaryt]

What are you talking about? Smith was the only consistent difference maker, she was just too young to put it together. Way better than Morgan though.. would have rather seen morgan sit and what they could do with a different plan. Seemed more interesting shape wise when Morgan was out and rapino was in except rapino is washed.

[@PBLeagues22]

​​@@kheldarytI'm talking about her performance against Sweden. Yay, she scored against lowley Vietnam.

[@kheldaryt]

@@j.pslaym0666 lol US score 4 goals- 1 from corner, smith scored 2 and created the other 1….Totally agree she made some errors and wasn’t really ready for it to be her show but US has nothing up front. Smith was the best the US had up front. Morgan washed, Rapino totally useless, Rodman ran hard but did nothing.

[@duran9664]

1st half, Rodman & Sullivan were just brilliant. Then, here comes the dumb coach😖

[@alexkatsanos8475]

No subs. Gassed players. No Midfield connections. If Lavelle didn’t feel pressure to do so much and was on form…she wouldn’t have gotten that second yellow and could have been the difference. In extra time they were too gassed to finish it. Now it just gets tougher. Ask Brazil and German men’s teams what its like to win #5. “we are almost there” is not true. Time to learn the technical side of it or it will be a repeat. New coach. Usually the USWT doesn’t care much about the Olympics but now. Make a statement! Sorry for Sam and Lynn. Will be listening for the next Snacks podcast.

[@johnidiaquez1303]

I thought they had great connections. They were gassed and did not understand Megan coming in at all. No more drive on her crosses and slow. Disappointed that she hung around at 38. She had to know she didnt have it

[@heppolo]

​@@johnidiaquez1303Vlatko was banking on another Olimpico USWNT actually had an Olympic three-peat but 2016 PSO and 2021 covid x Vlatko Olympic mode broke that streak. Olympics have 12 teams with only 3 from Europe so it's possible to navigate it somehow.

[@alexkatsanos8475]

@@johnidiaquez1303 I know Horan had great chances but was she pushed up too far? she had to do that to give get those chances. Technical ability saves energy and exposes their D. Straight ahead is not good enough.

[@shaneboman76]

they saved a lot of energy by not singing the anthem but were still tired?

[@Edwardianschool]

Roger said it best, the right goalpost came back to claim its debt. This WWC has been a roller coaster of thrills & heartbreak for the USWNT. I feel this WWC was lost in the 2nd half of the NDL game, when we left 4 world-class, fresh-legged subs on the bench instead of going for the final kill while the Dutch were gassed & praying for the final whistle to blow. We got Vlat-KO’d!!! (Gonna have to borrow that one 😅) To everything there is a time, and it’s now time to reflect, heal & rebuild for Paris 2024!!! 🇺🇸⚽️🇺🇸

[@erwin_888]

agreed... & wanted the USWNT to win the Sweden-game... Gutted for Sophia, hope this youngster getting support to process this... grtz ffrom The Netherlands and see you in another moment in time.

[@goldboy150]

Chelsea keepers are American kryptonite.

[@hmahdavi]

we were by far the better team. Their goalkeeper was exceptional, she won the game for Sweden. The game was fair and beautiful.

[@hsmd4533]

The US women are a disgrace and I’m glad they lost

[@alexcerdan4500]

The Swedish goalie shut the US down. Great job Sweden.

[@07Flash11MRC]

If the US had really been the better team "by far", they would have put the nail in the coffin in regular time. They weren't even the better team, because sweden defended better than the US were offensively.

[@hmahdavi]

@@07Flash11MRC you know nothing about soccer. when you put 10 players in front of your goal it is almost impossible to score. The US attacked all the time and played great. Beautiful soccer.

[@zahrans]

YOU know nothing about *Football.* The objective of the game is to WIN, not to fail and then moan afterwards about how 'we were the better team' etc. End of.

[@mikaelwerner8146]

sorry you are sad 😉but im so happy and proud of our heroes love them YEEEEA

[@aikalabe7719]

Set aside the politics and let's face the facts: Megan Rapinoe was absolutely cooked going into this world cup, and should have never seen the field once.

[@ac-mm3rj]

YES Sam!!! I tell everyone about that PK study your husband mentions all the time. It's from the book Freakonomics. As you said, the problem of the middle penalty is that if you do miss, you look dumb and the media will blast you (moreso than missing wide). It's a fascinating case of psychology. On a side note, that clip of the reaction to Kristie's PK brought all the feels. Great job, Rog and Sam!

[@lucienstclare5315]

US needs to find a replacement for Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan and Julie Ertz. They are on thier way out and they should do it now so that the vets have time to mentor them. Swanson and Macario were missed. However lots of teams lost players just before WWC. The truth is that statistics mean nothing if you don't put the ball in the back of the net. US should also do what France did and spend money on a coach who will build the team and give them a system to play in and thier own style of play.

[@beachliving3127]

Any player over 30 today should be excluded from the next Olympics and World Cup. Send those over 30 to the abattoir and maybe you will get a discount to take away those has beens. This will force the team to work with younger talent vs relying on those horses who can’t finish the race anymore.

[@bob778_6]

So by this metric do you believe that every male athlete should be dropped from every sport as well ? Or is just for the women's soccer team?

[@beachliving3127]

@@bob778_6 The US Women hold on to their hero’s too tightly. You can’t go a match without someone talking about the great 1999 team and their attributes. That team instilled a legacy of winning that goes down the line. The experienced players can call on that when the going gets tough and just wasn’t and see. Well we all waited and saw. Clean the slate and start over. The only reason I used 30 was that these players would be 34/35 at the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. You need to start fresh by getting rid of those who won’t be able to contribute for those events. The men kicked out Landon Donavon a few years ago. The coach said he was close but chose someone else. The US lost but it sent a signal that no one is above review. The NFL in the USA doesn’t have this problem. If you can’t run, block, tackle, catch, or throw as before, you are gone.

[@drangiemielke]

I couldn't agree more with the comment about the necessity of development of US coaches...it's a must!

[@GVike]

If they are in tune with how the rest of the world plays, of course. IIRC Chicago assistant Ella Masar actually got her certifications in Europe.

[@erwin_888]

Also if you take in account the scandals regarding Rory Dames and other coaches, and therefore.the need of creating safe social and work environments for their players... (btw, a global 'trend' that has to be fixed)

[@alexh4436]

The federation decided (not Vlatko, he was just following orders) that our team selection would be based on who could drive TV ratings and get commercial endorsements. That's just speculation of course, but Vlatko was a very successful coach and is no idiot so I can't imagine he chose this......

[@nocturne7371]

I'm impressed that he knew that Spotify, ABBA and IKEA are from Sweden.

[@FirstLast-bn6nl]

Husqvarna, Saab, Poelstar, Volvo and the supercar Koenigsegg (I guess Rog cannot drive any)

[@nocturne7371]

@@FirstLast-bn6nl You can also add H&M, Sandvik, Fjällräven, Lundhags, Haglöfs, Skype, Euope, Ace of Base, Roxette, Max Martin, AstraZenica, Scania and many more

[@eeeksRN10]

Thank you for this coverage!

[@jmf5246]

“I dont want the best players, i want the right players”. Herb Brooks.

[@HrvojeBan]

0:56 micrometer is an actual unit of measure, you didn't make it up 😂 "micrometer is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI) equalling 1×10−6 metre (SI standard prefix "micro-" = 10−6); that is, one millionth of a metre (or one thousandth of a millimetre, 0.001 mm, or about 0.00004 inch)." Wikipedia

[@joycefortin7877]

Wasn't there 11 shots on net? The US beat the D several times, except their Goalie!!! Kept them in the game and gave them the chance to win. And PK's... are nothing but luck.

[@jsprite123]

PK's are no luck. It requires skill, both physically and mentally, to make the ball go thru by the kicker. Same thing on the part of the goalie, to block them.

[@SpeccyHorace]

Not luck at all, no. Technique under pressure.

[@loganleroy8622]

If you think PKs are about luck, you don't understand Soccer, my friend. It's not a coin toss, it's about technique and the ability to place the ball accurately when your legs are tired. There's also enormous skill in being able to look like you're about to send the ball one direction with your lean, but actually send the ball the opposite way.

[@KenUbeleveit1]

Props to both goalkeepers in that match.

[@BlakeC27]

The classic no win situation. If they had won the tournament; well, that's what was expected as they are the top ranked team and overwhelming favourites. If they lose, they get ripped to pieces.

[@sirrealistic5625]

All jokes aside, they will bounce back and hopefully come back stronger.

[@JamesCM86]

Will they? Rest of the world looks stronger too

[@re-tire985]

I agree without the Megan toxic culture

[@sirrealistic5625]

@re-tire985 🤔They have won plenty with her regardless, so your statement truly doesn't hold water...🤨

[@sirrealistic5625]

@CMJames Time, and a new coach will tell.

[@coconutsurvivor03]

I concur!! They’ll come back and better than ever

[@toddm9501]

What a Great start to the week. Very Happy!

[@alisamarotta2352]

Good game but it was but we couldn't get it in the net unfortunately. I don't know why people have to bring the team down for the their views of few. And let's hope that the rumor of of Alex and Pinoe getting into a "brutual fight" in the locker room after room is untrue.

[@88777mm]

Gutted for Kelley! My fav player put in such a tough situation...

[@jasonwilliamson8416]

I am THRILLED that they got beat. They absolutely EARNED that defeat. Now go home and HUMBLE yourselves.

[@jeffberner8206]

I came here just for some cathartic healing to get over from what Alexi Lalas says.

[@johntell4333]

NWSL is most likely going to lose out on this result

[@minervasmith1459]

The greatest of all time Weomen Soccer Players are Michelle Ackers, Mia Hamn, Brianna Scurry, Christine Lilly and so many more, that was an United team, the media ignores these heroes as the greatest,, This team is legendary and always will be...

[@MrDragon1968]

There's quite a lot of cope here. The US weren't good in the Group Stage and then failed to capitalise on chances they created when gaining momentum against Sweden (who weren't playing that well - apart from the goalie). Pen knock-outs can be unfair, but that's just life and happens to all teams. Hence why you need to score in the game. Anyone who watched the 2022 Euro's would know that the US was facing much tougher competition in 2023. The 2022 Euro champions England line-up would have been a serious threat to either the 2015 or 2019 WC USWNT. Add that to the US losing quite a few major friendlies (England, Spain, Germany) in the interim and it was clear the US weren't as much a threat as in the past. Carli Lloyd has been saying this for a while.

[@AN-cy7xm]

I would imagine that one of the hardest things to have watched for uswnt fans during this wwc was the first half of the Netherlands game. I've rarely seen a women's team move the ball more confidently than the Netherlands. Honestly, the uswnt looked like a high school team. They had no answers and looked like deer in headlights. With the level of talent on the uswnt, I honestly don't know how the manager can stay on.

[@larajohn9535]

Play as a team! Play to the feet. Get open. Play possession.

[@Bengaltaz]

Your twos reaction was awesome also 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bboyshr6]

Heads up peeps, the future of USWNT is very bright.

[@realbc7]

Players need to raise their hand first for underperforming, additionally, Vlatko didnt cope in the moments to make the tough calls and make subs. Lastly, would love to see you get to join the press conference since Fox is just tossing up soft balls to the players and coaches. We need you Rog, Courage!

[@silvinaberutti3471]

My heart goes out to those that missed the penalties because that’s especially hard to withstand. Sophia Smith impressed me in the game vs Vietnam and hope she feels support. Big love to O’Hara, too. Unfortunate and would like to see a change in coaching.

[@robinweber9640]

Smith can be a star but she has to learn that straight line attacks aren't enough. You use the threat of your speed to get the defender to back pedal and then you make a sharp cut inside and look for a teammate

[@joechung3687]

@@robinweber9640Smith is a one trick pony

[@TeeSpicerReacts]

Amen. I have being asking for a change since he was hired. Not sorry.

[@seanlindo3548]

I feel for them, but I don’t care about excuses. This is a failure for USSF and a failure for all that backed the manager, who was clearly not up to task back in Tokyo.

[@Vickzq]

Somebody impressing you playing against a team mainly lining up amateurs and semipros... is a problem to begin with.

[@anordman9659]

Funny how you Americans seem to have missed the poor performance earlier in the tournament. The US wasnt eliminated today, that happened way earlier.

[@marshvelon569]

The comeback is going to be massive. I believe they needed this loss. Not wanted, needed. Just watch the way they bounce back. Im ready for it.

[@musicstar3616]

They’re going to have redemption on the mind. That will be their fuel. Hopefully We can get a new coach (preferably a female powerhouse) and then they’ll look like the team we all know and love

[@LJ_S1K]

I 100% agree. This team was good enough to make it further in this tournament, even with how poorly they played. They had the best defense through 4 games of play which is something to be proud of. We have sooo much talent coming through and we just need that coach that will set the team up right and make the right calls

[@marshvelon569]

Yes defenitely will have redemption in mind. Especially the hungry young players and those who missed out. The energy will be there so if the coach needs to be replaced then so be it. The defense was A-1 i mean theres no doubt. We beat them in every way except goals. So i think Jill said it best to add that extra 15% to every move each game.

[@heppolo]

It was deserved. You can't Canadian-Olympic-gold your way to a World Cup trophy.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Emily Sonnet was a fantastic addition. Sophia Smith had the opportunity to win it in the shoot-out, but blew her penalty.

[@drewbranch7700]

It was coming,we have been playing subpar soccer and we looked disjointed at times,not to mention how we lacked that killer instinct. I felt that we were inept psychologically,hence our abysmal performance when it came to the penalty shootout.

[@EvaJ976]

Even worse if Sweden don’t take the cup , it will worse hurt even worse 😢😂

[@thomaschristopher8593]

good job Sweden. thank you.

[@minervasmith1459]

A house divided will not stand, This team was divided and arrogant, Man refuses to learn from History, that's why History keeps repeating itself....

[@radjedi2010]

Why does this annoying guy keep interrupting Mewis? Just shut up for a second while she finishes her thought. Geez.

[@glenngastonjonsson7954]

Loved your pod. Playing Sweden often ends in disappointment.

[@bipmix]

except for the goalie saving their bacon, Sweden was awful, and the US still couldn't win. The difference with this cup is that it shows the global improvement in the game and last four years have been about the team fighting against the admin powers about salaries...and they paid for it collectively..watch out for Japan and Morocco..

[@MindSSetMedia3241]

The activists were the awful ones, your group of activists also played 120 minutes without being able to score, that was terrible. Sweden did better because they actually won the game, so stop sounding silly,

[@Agtsmirnoff]

You mean they GOT paid. Already millionaires got more millions. Now they got their $$, they no longer want to put in effort or improve their game. Focus on the game, not false social issues that try to conflate the level you play at to male athletes.

[@beachliving3127]

@@MindSSetMedia3241Rapinoe and O’Hara should have been sent to the abattoir vs the World Cup. The coach didn’t have the guts to keep them off the team and select other players. Father Time reared his head and only then did the coach know his career was dead. It’s tough letting former main contributors go but that is why coaches get paid. Abby Wambach took a dismissed role in 2015 as did Carli Lloyd in 2019. This coach kept three women who’s best was behind them when only one should have been on the squad. Alex Morgan should have come off the bench as Abby and Carli did in 2015 and 2019 respectively. Activists or not, if you can’t put the ball in the goal, you lose. The Swedish Goal gave a clinic on how to stop shots and Mad Respect to her.

[@muhammadlee-]

@@Agtsmirnoff I don’t think any female footballers are actually millionaires. A handful at best:

[@KenUbeleveit1]

​@@muhammadlee-very true. And out of those few some of their money is probably made from endorsements and sponsors

[@Delboy0]

Having seen all the Scandinavian teams in the World Cup and the Euros, I don’t know why English WSL spend so much money and so many Scandinavian players. They are bang average and just rely on physicality. These clubs should be engaging their local communities more players instead of wasting money on these mediocre Scandinavians. There are more Lauren James to be found. It reminds me of the Premier League in the early 1990s when the league was full of mediocre Norwegians, mostly because Norwegian agents were offering bribes to coaches.

[@timmurphy5736]

Sorry pal. I'll take Maanum over any young mid-fielder in the UK system.

[@Delboy0]

@@timmurphy5736I haven’t seen an Scandinavian on the ability level of James and there is so much untapped talent in England, especially in the big cities that the FA foolishly decided to ignore when they went to professional era. There is better talent in England than in Scandinavian and I feel they are just wasting money buying so many Scandinavians. I think that is WSL teams don’t win the champions league.

[@niotnt9779]

💯 agree with 45:40 minute. Athleticism and mental toughness isn't enough to win futbol games.

[@PaulLe-jk4uq]

Sam Mewis, when when you come back to play, my dear? We miss you awful lot on the field!!! Hurry get well soon soon Sam!!!👍🌹💓💖💘🗽⚽

[@latdamon3602]

Blaming the coaching instead of blatantly anemic individual performances over fear of infringing upon the narrative is peak cowardice.

[@user-gn4mq9wi4j]

Odd that everyone thought the strength / talent of this team was the front line - but it was actually the back line that was strong, the midfield was a mess, and the front line, even when the midfield did their job, was unable to put together a coordinated attack. Too many individuals, not enough team.

[@balung]

So, it's been reported Rapinoe and Morgan had a punch on in the dressing sheds after the game and that they had to be separated, wonder who won?

[@agn855]

That would explain why the coach was swapping them, to prevent an ongoing fight on the pitch!

[@glenngastonjonsson7954]

And finally Sweden reached #1 on the world ranking, They seldom win shit but they always give it.

[@mmor7380]

I wish Roger would have not interrupted sam when she was talking about Sophia smith penalty miss, she was pouring her feelings.

[@rcal7732]

We need you back Sam!!! This would have been different if you were there! Sending healing vibes!!!

[@minervasmith1459]

Megan knew she was going to miss, the look on her face showed this,, she was out of shape and too old, but to laugh, the team that git there didn't think it was funny...

[@loganleroy8622]

She was her arrogant self and decided she wanted to be cute and place it in the top corner. If she actually thought she was tired or was going to miss, she would have aimed lower. But no, she just needed to be humbled and that's what happened. Unfortunately she skied it over the bar

[@bepsolo]

The rest of the world has caught up with the U.S big time, fifa and other countries have invested money in the womens game over the yrs. Out of the 50 best womens players in the world, only 5 are from the U.S. There are many good teams and players in this WC, the playing field has levelled, the U.S women team will not dominate football as they have done in the past, this is the new reality.

[@GVike]

Spain beat the US with a B team. Spain is missing starting CB and other key players and they still go thrash Switzerland with kids who are backups at Barcelona... so much talent is coming up there. Japan are a well-oiled machine... England is betting big on their women...

[@chalphon4907]

Surprisingly enough Tim Howard is Tim Howard in Swedish aswell. We don't really translate names and we all speak adequate English. Greetings from Sweden.

[@fniebres]

It’s more than mere chance that made Rapinoe missed. Form follows form. She was terrible in Extra Time. Her passing accuracy was abysmal. No reason to be confident that she could be on target.

[@RJ420NL]

Time for a new coach and some changes to the roster.

[@julesscangojr.35]

Rog lays blame everywhere but where he should have started……the players. The goal was completely missed 3 times….but hey, coaching lol.

[@raulcasta7841]

I think, personally, the soccer USA team mentally got the Kool aid kid effect. Someone poison the partnership and at the end they lost the real reason why they went send there to fight and win.

[@PaulKRedd]

What went wrong is the forward line did not score goals. Simple. We counted on Morgan and Rapino far toooooo long. Rapinoe didn't belong there at all, and Morgan should have been off the bench. Our defense was excellent. The Netherlands goat had an XG of near Zero.

[@jhamptonjr]

A micrometer is a tool used to determine the thickness of something.

[@beachliving3127]

Give her a break. She’s just trying to say that it was VERY CLOSE.

[@agn855]

Well, it’s a measurement unit.

[@jhamptonjr]

@@agn855 centimeter and millimeter are measurement units.

[@loganleroy8622]

@@jhamptonjr Well so is a micrometer. A micrometer is 0.000001 meters.

[@jhamptonjr]

@@loganleroy8622 I would think you would try to at least not show your ignorance so many times. I'm micrometer is a tool used for measuring distances. It is not a unit of measurement. Here is a micrometer www.google.com/search?q=micrometer&oq=micrometer&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDc5NzlqMGo3qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

[@mikeepps9512]

He is 100% not drinking a bud light. Definitely water in that solo cup.

[@agn855]

Confirmed. There’s no sign of embarrassment on his face after sipping it…

[@DaLoganFrost]

Leave him alone.....he is still a virgin and simp'n hard just to get to 1st base! 😅

[@JoelSeal]

as good as the USWNT played against Sweden it felt like they can play 240min and still won't score

[@davidvandruff9368]

I bet Lalas sent you all those "Lalas" photos. LOL. Who the heck else would!

[@acforishi]

"SUCK IT IKEA !!! SUCK IT ABBA !! SUCK IT SPOTIFY" 🤣 Tough loss... This team will be BACK... New younger core is good. Good to have more world wide competition. By other teams getting better it can only make this team better. For all people who are vilifying this team, quoting TS said "Haters are gonna hate hate hate"...

[@lourams8433]

Time will tell. Other teams around the world have caught up. Look at Nigeria, Morocco, they played a very exciting superior games than USA.

[@jakechung8951]

Other countries getting better too. Now USA look rubbish. They nearly got knock out by Portugal

[@agn855]

You’ve forgotten Volvo (the car he said won’t drive anymore)

[@agn855]

…he won’t drive anymore)

[@PaulLe-jk4uq]

The USWNT needs a new coach!!! A full blooded American woman, even better. We have enough with the iffy, mediocre andonovski for long forever 4 years!!! It is enough, USSF ! CHANGE IT PLEASE!!!! 👈⚽🗽

[@2smoulder]

Bud Light? Are you ffffng joking? 🤬

[@sergiofernandez6115]

Lots of Americans were happy when Rapinoe choked, Go Sweden!!

[@bobmoshe]

Love seeing the Bud Light toast (even though I hate Bud Light).

[@Kingfisher1215]

Using a similar approach as they used for their contract, the women’s team is saying the match was unfair, they didn’t deserve to lose and want a do over.

[@no.3373]

i have nothing to say except GET THIS MAN INTO AN ENGLISH LECTURE wtf okay professor 😭😭

[@07Flash11MRC]

"GET THIS MAN INTO AN ENGLISH LECTURE": xD What does that mean? He speaks English just fine...

[@klodi3194]

CARMA The goal of Japan that got Germany 🇩🇪 out of world cup was more millimeters outside of line than the goal of Sweden and all American analysts were saying that it was in ....This decision prooved that Germany 🇩🇪 got cheated ..

[@foltie41]

There will be an over reaction to this loss. Coaching change? Maybe needed. But this isn’t the end of any era. New crop of stars will emerge and we’ll continue to be among the best of the world. Sports, sometimes it’s just sports.

[@lourams8433]

You cannot achieve it if some of the players will be disrespectful to the country that is putting food on their tables. Fans would surely booooo them, and thats gonna be a huge distraction

[@def1ghi]

Can i ask, why was Julie Ertz not higher up in the shoot out order? What keeper, even Sweden's, wants to face her in a PK? And she was in the game, had so many great touches, was ready to go.

[@adelehaenels]

US also takes into account player input. Ertz didn't want to.

[@sofiasousapires]

Fix it by firing Vlatko and everyone else on top after losing 2 tournaments!!

[@GVike]

USSF is a hot mess rn

[@Me-fn4wh]

As an England fan, I hope the USA don't be too harsh on the American team. It was always going to happen one day. They can't win every tournament and were unlucky the way they went out in the end. Was the ball fully over the line ? They will regroup. Look at England today, we scraped through against Nigeria on penalties when we should be out.

[@pedddler]

The U.S had its best performance against Sweden and it was a heartbreaking defeat for them. However, even if they had won, they still weren't good enough to go all the way and win the trophy and would have met their end against the likes of Japan, France and Spain in the later rounds.

[@MKelly-pm1np]

Absolutely proud of how they played today. The future is bright for these young women

[@jckyhn7329]

Agreed! In spite of some injuries, Rose sidelined for the match, team USA dominated. The youngsters played well. This is a disappointment but the future does look bright.

[@lourams8433]

No bright future for disrespectful players. Fans would booo these players. Just like what they did to Rapinoe during the Penalty Kick.