FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011, USA Vs. Sweden: USWNT Lose 2-1, Will Face Brazil In Quarterfinals

For the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the United States has lost a game in the group stages. Knowing that one of Sweden’s stars, Caroline Seger was out and that they only needed a draw to win, the USWNT were still not able to get a result good enough to win the group as they lost by a final score of 2-1, setting up a quarterfinal matchup against Brazil.

Some might dismiss Sweden’s second goal, which came off of a deflection as pure luck, but any dismissal of anything Sweden did as luck requires a very short memory. In the 15th minute of the game, Amy LePeilbet hauled down Lotta Schelin in the penalty area, for which a penalty was given. LePeilbet was the last defender and denied a clear goal scoring opportunity, but was not shown a red card. Lisa Dahlkvist converted the penalty kick, but from the point at which LePeilbet was not shown red, the USWNT was playing with house money.

Well, it seems that half would constitute a nightmare for the United States. They’ve been absolutely dreadful thus far, and they’re currently trailing Sweden 2-0. With how poorly the United States has played, especially in defense, it’s hard to say that the slight underdogs don’t deserve their lead. At present, the Swedes are going to win the group, while the United States appear to be headed for second place and a match against Brazil.

Sweden took the lead on a penalty kick after Amy LePeilbet hauled down Lotta Schelin in the penalty area 15 minutes into the game, but that wasn’t even Sweden’s first clear-cut scoring opportunity of the match. Five minutes earlier, Schelin was through on goal and had a shot saved by Hope Solo.

It’s been basically a nightmare start in the final group stage match of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the United States, and they’re very lucky the situation isn’t worse. After 15 minutes, they trail Sweden 1-0, but their mistakes should have led to a situation that is much worse than the one they’re in now. Thanks to some heroics by Hope Solo and some questionable refereeing, The USWNT are only down one goal, and they’re still playing with 11 players.

The first signs of disaster for the US women came 10 minutes in, when striker Lotta Schelin was sent through on the United States’ goal. It looked like a goal was inevitable, but Schelin, whose finishing has been poor in this tournament, hit the ball in the reach of Hope Solo. The US keeper extended her right leg and made a great kick save, keeping the score level.

Sorry, legions of Alex Morgan fans. When Abby Wambach sat out a couple of days of training, it looked like the people were finally going to get to see their golden girl in the starting lineup, but Wambach is apparently fit to start and will start the United States’ match against Sweden today. This, of course, is not a bad thing as Wambach is one of the best center forwards in the history of the women’s game, but it’s a slight disappointment for those who were looking forward to a glimpse into the future. Also questionable before this game was Heather O’Reilly, and she will sit. Megan Rapinoe takes her place. Here are the lineups.

United States lineup: Solo; Rampone, Buehler, LePeilbet, Krieger, Boxx, Lloyd, Cheney, Rapinoe, Wambach, Rodriguez

Coming into the final game of the group stages of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the United States women are in the best position they could possibly be in. They have won both of their first two matches and they’ve done it in such a way that they have the best goal differential in the group. So, they control their own destiny, but they both have quite a bit of work to do on Wednesday against Sweden.

Both Sweden and the United States will be missing some key players, making the match a tough one to predict. The biggest miss for Sweden will be Caroline Seger, who is suspended through yellow card accumulation. She’s been Sweden’s most creative player so far, and she will be sorely missed. The United States will probably be missing both Abby Wambach and Heather O’Reilly due to injury, but neither is seriously injured and will be sat purely for precautionary reasons. Megan Rapinoe should replace O’Reilly, while Alex Morgan should replace Wambach.