USWNT Suffers Loss To Sweden In Tokyo Olympics Opener
Jul 21, 2021, 4:23 AM | Updated: 4:28 am
USA's forward Christen Press (R) outflanks Sweden's defender Amanda Ilestedt during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games women's group G first round football match between Sweden and USA at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on July 21, 2021. (Photo by Yoshikazu TSUNO / AFP) (Photo by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The United States Women’s National Team suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss to Sweden in their opening match of the Tokyo Olympics.
The USWNT had their 44-game unbeaten streak snapped at the hands of Sweden. For the United States, it wasn’t the greatest major tournament debut for head coach Vlatko Andonovski.
It was the first start for Alyssa Naeher in goal and she was challenged throughout the match.
Before the match started, both teams took to the pitch and took a knee for a moment of solidarity.
Fight til the final whistle pic.twitter.com/KcLq9AZLld
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 21, 2021
Sweden got on the scoreboard early as they connected on a service in the box that was headed in by Stina Blackstenius to put them up 1-0 over the United States in the 24th minute. It’s been a while since USWNT was in this position trailing as they never trailed once during the 2019 World Cup.
25' | Goal Sweden. Stina Blackstenius scores off a header from close range.
🇺🇸 0-1 🇸🇪 | #Tokyo2020
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 21, 2021
Sweden was aggressive throughout the first half which was fortunate that the United States trailed by just one goal. Rose Lavelle had a chance with a header but it went off of the post. Sweden went to the locker room with a 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the 55th minute, Stina Blackstenius scored her second goal of the match from point-blank. The United States was calling for an offsides call but never go it even after the restart of the game was delayed due to instant replay. Sweden was up 2-0.
Former Utah Royals forward Christen Press had a chance at a goal from point-blank but the ball went off the post.
Sweden AGAIN. 🚨#TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/IgGW7sD3yp
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 21, 2021
The Swedish kept pouring it on to the United States as they got a beautiful service into the box and Hurtig converted a goal with a great header in the 73rd minute to give them a 3-0 lead.
Up next for the United States is a matchup with Australia in Group G action. That match will take place on Tuesday, July 27 at 2 a.m. MDT.
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