Unbelievable Upset: How Zecira Musovic and Inches Silenced USA, Marking the Dawn of a New Era
History was made at the Women's World Cup as the United States suffered a shocking early elimination at the hands of Sweden A bitter defeat on penalties shattered their unbeaten run in the tournament's quarterfinals, marking the end of an era for the American powerhouse
The USA are dominant forces in women's football, setting the highest standard that every international team aims to achieve. A testament to their prowess was their previous record of never being eliminated from a World Cup before the semi-final stage. However, this changed on Sunday as they encountered a resilient Sweden, specifically challenged by the exceptional performance of Zecira Musovic, which prevented the Americans from comfortably securing a spot in the final eight.
With diving and leaping skills, she consistently denied players like Alex Morgan, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith, making save after save. Since records were first kept in 2011, Musovic's outstanding performance of 11 saves in a single game remains the record for a goalkeeper who maintained a clean sheet at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
What's truly remarkable is that she rarely gets the opportunity to play for her club, Chelsea. Ann-Katrin Berger holds the position of regular No. 1, and this summer, England's Hannah Hampton has also joined the London club, further intensifying the competition.
With the form she displayed against the USA, it is evident why Emma Hayes keeps such a capable backup player on her team. Sweden, who have only conceded one goal in this tournament, owe their success to their goalkeeper Musovic. Although their performance in the group stage did not carry over to the round of 16, it did not matter in the end. Musovic's exceptional skills kept them in the game until the penalty shootout.
At one point, the USA was just one penalty away from rightfully advancing to the quarterfinals, just as they were on the verge of elimination in the group stage. However, missed penalties from two of their star players - Megan Rapinoe and Smith - gave Sweden an opportunity to come back in the shootout. In the end, Sweden narrowly triumphed, dealing a devastating blow to a team that had set their sights on a third consecutive victory.
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Zecira Musovic played a crucial role in Sweden's advancement to the quarter-finals by effectively thwarting the USA's attempts. Nevertheless, considering the 120 minutes of gameplay, it can be argued that the USA did not deserve to lose. They showcased a significant improvement from the group stage, displaying confidence and ease with the ball while generating several scoring opportunities through exceptional passes.
Despite their efforts, they failed to accomplish the essential task of scoring a goal, even though Musovic's exceptional performance cannot be blamed. They attempted a total of 22 shots, with 11 on target, all of which were saved by the goalkeeper.
There has been significant discussion about this USA team undergoing a transition, and younger players will undoubtedly gain valuable experience from this. Rodman emerged as a major offensive threat in the first half, but a few too many misguided decisions halted promising advancements.
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The USA team is currently going through a transition phase, both on and off the field.
The same can also be said for Smith, who was expected by many to be the standout player of this tournament. However, she often took too much time to make decisions on the ball, which gave Sweden the opportunity to make defensive blocks and interceptions. When she was later positioned in a more central role during extra-time, she appeared more energetic, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to influence the final result of the game.
Perhaps one exception to this was Naomi Girma, a 23-year-old player who made a remarkable impression in her debut World Cup. The experienced athletes, such as Lindsey Horan and Julie Ertz, displayed great mastery of their roles, with the captain of the US team coming close to scoring on multiple occasions.
This transition might have been somewhat forced upon Vlatko Andonovski, as several players were unable to participate in the tournament due to injuries. Becky Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario, and Mallory Swanson are just three potential starters who were absent from the team. However, considering that the match against Sweden is likely to be the last World Cup game for players like Rapinoe and possibly others, it feels as though the torch is being passed.
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USA legend Megan Rapinoe has concluded her World Cup career, despite her unfortunate penalty miss in the shootout.
As a result, the American team will now face the scrutiny of their fans back home. Criticism from former players and pundits has been prominent, particularly during the group stage. Carli Lloyd, among others, expressed disapproval towards the players' celebratory dancing on the field following their lackluster draw against Portugal, marking their entry into the last 16.
It is now unclear how people will respond. Rapinoe, known for polarizing opinions, was seen smiling after her penalty miss and shedding tears after the game ended. It could be attributed to nervousness or reflecting on her successful World Cup career, but explanations don't always placate the critics. Andonovski, in his debut World Cup, has also faced scrutiny. As the USA has achieved its poorest-ever result under his leadership, discussions about his future are likely taking place, signaling a transition for the American team.
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Vlatko Andonovski, the head coach of the USA, has faced criticism throughout the tournament. Questions have been raised about his team selection and in-game management. During the match against Sweden, he only made one substitution in the full 90 minutes. Furthermore, in extra time, he chose to stick with Smith, who had been struggling throughout the game, instead of relying on Morgan's experience, even with penalties on the horizon. Looking back, it is unclear why that decision was made, especially considering that the 22-year-old also missed her penalty.
United States at the FIFA Women's World Cup
His substitutions, or lack thereof, also faced criticism during a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. While he did bring in Rose Lavelle at halftime, who later assisted Horan's goal, he failed to utilize the four remaining substitutions despite the team needing more goals.| Year | Finish |
| 1991 | Champions |
| 1995 | Third place |
| 1999 | Champions |
| 2003 | Third place |
| 2007 | Third place |
| 2011 | Runners up |
| 2015 | Champions |
| 2019 | Champions |
| 2023 | Round of 16 |
The USA's string of two goalless draws at the World Cup is quite unconventional. It is evident that Andonovski struggled to harmonize his exceptionally skillful attacking players into a unified force. Although he is not the first manager in the tournament to face such challenges, the vast array of talent he had at his disposal, coupled with their reigning champions status, leaves no room for mistakes.
"The USA made an effort to bring fans together after the game by expressing their gratitude. They acknowledged the dedicated support of the fans and supporters who stood by their team, emphasizing the significant value of their unwavering commitment.
The Women's World Cup this year serves as evidence of the immense development of women's soccer worldwide, and the increased investment in these remarkable players is something that excites us."
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"Our goal remains the same, to win. We are committed to surpassing the standard we helped to create and we will rise to the challenge."
The World Cup is showcasing the significant progress of the game. Although Sweden's high ranking should be acknowledged, the unprecedented elimination of the USA in the round of 16 is truly astonishing. This surprise exit, regardless of the opponent, will be a topic of discussion for years to come.
Furthermore, this tournament stands out for the remarkable performance of teams from diverse continents, who are not only challenging the established favorites but also achieving great success. They are not just giving them a run for their money, but taking that money all the way to the bank.
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Swedish players examine the VAR graphic depicting their successful penalty against the USA. Maybe this bank deposit will encompass the rightful remuneration and acknowledgment these players merit, a cause the USA champions and persistently advocates for within women's football.
The end of the day brings the realization that even the powerful USA Women's National Team cannot sustain their dominance indefinitely. This presents unprecedented challenges for both the team and the federation.
However, this shift not only promises to make women's football more engaging and competitive, but also serves to fortify the team through the valuable experiences gained by these players. Particularly for the younger players with future World Cups on the horizon, these changes will only ignite their determination to secure another title in the 2027 tournament.
