The U.S. women’s soccer team was eliminated from the 2023 World Cup tournament in a shootout loss to Sweden on Sunday — and many observers couldn’t be happier.
It was the worst-ever World Cup finish for the USA women after winning it all in their last two campaigns. But the American women at times seemed to make more headlines about controversial behavior like not singing the national anthem than their play on the field.
Veteran U.S. player Megan Rapinoe — who’s made a name for herself over the years by espousingleft-wingsocial views — entered the game late as a substitute.
The score remained 0-0 after regulation, so the contest went to a penalty-kick shootout — and Rapinoe was one of three U.S. players to miss shootout kick attempts before Sweden finally netted one and claimed victory, ESPN reported.
Rapinoe’s penalty-kick attempt was way off the mark, sailing high over the over the goalpost. Check out her reaction to her botched attempt:
Megan Rapinoe misses a crucial penalty kick and laughs about it.
She’s pure trash. #USWNT pic.twitter.com/w08JsprWST
— 3sidedstory 🇺🇲 (@3sidedstory) August 6, 2023
After the loss, Yahoo Sports observed that “no U.S. team had ever finished worse than third at the Women’s World Cup; this one will finish something like 12th.” The outlet added that no U.S. team had ever scored fewer than 12 goals during a women’s World Cup tournament — and the 2023 team scored only four goals.
A deluge of commenters underneath the Yahoo Sports story on Team USA’s elimination were quite happy about it — mirroring the response when the American women were beaten in the 2021 Olympics. Check it out a sampling:
- “Yay! I was pulling for Sweden the whole time,” one commenter wrote. “Congratulations to a team that actually takes pride in and honors their country. As for the other team, couldn’t be more well deserved. Entitlement is not the path to take.”
- “This is fantastic!” another commenter declared. “My day has been made.”
- “A heartfelt congrats to the US Women’s National Soccer team,” another commenter said sarcastically. “In a time of great polarity in the United States, they managed to bring together almost the entire nation, in cheering against them. It’s a difficult task to get almost the entire country to agree on something, well done players!”
- “Great win for Sweden, I’m glad they beat Team USA,” another commenter said. “As a retired Army Vet with 20 years in service, I have to say that if you are not with us, you’re against us! …. That team doesn’t represent us!!!! Once again, Congrats to Sweden!!!!!”
- “Great news! A NATIONAL team spitting on us all by ignoring our anthem is a disgrace. Don’t play for a national team if you don’t like the nation. Try that in some other countries and see how well that goes,” another commenter said.
- “Feel good story of the day,” another commenter said. “If you don’t wanna stand and passionately belt out our national anthem with some pride like the other countries players then you shouldn’t be sent to represent our country.”
- “Love it,” another commenter said. “A more unlikeable team doesn’t exist.”
“Pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction.” —King Solomon. I’d say this proverb accurately describes this team. “Pride” in being a lesbian. Pride in hating the US. Pride in past victories caused the haughty spirit of this team. I’m glad they lost. Maybe a little humility will do some good.
They deserve to lose. They are a disgrace to the USA.
I give all my loyalty and support to USA teams that give their loyalty and support to the. USA . And that is why I was rooting for Sweden with every fiber of my being . Yes I watched the football game . And it was a real nail biter . And was so glad to see Sweden win . So was my sons . And the only reason the stands were so full is because they were in Sweden . Where football (soccer ) is king