The United States’ failure to defeat Portugal on Tuesday was a setback in many respects.
It was a terrible performance, with Portugal only denied a famous win by the width of a post. It was a psychological blow, meaning the U.S. still haven’t beaten an established footballing nation in this Women’s World Cup. It means they will play their round-of-16 match in the early hours for supporters back home.
Most troublingly, it means their opponents in that match will be old foes Sweden.
The U.S. and Sweden have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years, which in itself is testament to Sweden’s ability to punch above its weight. This should, on paper, not be a rivalry. The two nations are not geographically close. The U.S. has a population of 330 million compared to Sweden’s 10 million. The U.S. are the most successful side in Women’s World Cup history while Sweden have never triumphed.
Yet this has become quite the grudge match. After Sweden, managed by former USWNT coach Pia Sundhage, defeated the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics on penalties, goalkeeper Hope Solo famously responded by calling them a “bunch of cowards”.
(Photo: Steve Bardens-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The defeat haunted the U.S. for the next couple of years. Some revenge was achieved in 2019…
