The job for the United States women’s soccer team on Tuesday is clear, because that job never changes. The United States must get past Portugal to advance at the Women’s World Cup because that it what is needed, what is expected, what is required.
“We feel like we have to win everything all the time,” U.S. midfielder Megan Rapinoe said this week. “That’s the expectation for ourselves. That’s the expectation playing for the U.S. women’s national team. It’s just kind of, why are you coming to the World Cup if you don’t think you should win it? And if you don’t think you can win it?”
They do not technically need to win, of course. A tie will be enough to get the Americans through to the round of 16, and even a loss could do it in the unlikely event that the Netherlands loses to Vietnam at the same time. But the United States women’s team doesn’t go looking for ties, or side doors. Its ethos is to win, and to make memories.
Every World Cup has its moments. Predictable moments and painful moments. Surprising moments and iconic moments. Rapinoe, who is at her fourth World Cup, has seen them all. She has created more than a few of them. But Rapinoe also recognizes, perhaps better than anyone at this year’s tournament, when one has arrived.
And Tuesday, a…
