The United States Women’s Soccer Team (USWST) has proven to be a dominant force in the sport of soccer over the years, achieving 4 Olympic Gold Medals and 4 World Cup Championships.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup occurred over the summer in Australia throughout the months of July and August. Coming off back-to-back World Cup championships, the United States, however, fell short of the expectations they set for themselves this year. Going 1-2-0 in pool play and lost to Sweden in the round of 16.
Leading up to their first pool play game against Vietnam, USWST fans were anxious and excited to see this team perform. Coming with a mix of a veteran and young squad came a new coach, Vlatko Andonovski. This raised a ton of concern amongst US soccer fans. Although many fans were worried about this team, expectations were still the same: win the World Cup.
From start to finish during USWST pool play games, many doubts began to arise that this year’s team may be unable to repeat its back-to-back World Cup championships. Going 1-2-0 throughout their four pool play games was unfamiliar for USWST fans.
“I was very disappointed in how they came out and started the World Cup. It felt like the energy wasn’t there, and they got complacent from past years performances,” Bellefonte freshman soccer player Sydney Miller, said.
Many fans were fearless in giving their thoughts on their performance in pool play. Partially due to the fact in years past, the US soccer team would dominate pool play, leaving no concern among fans.
Due to the outcome of the USWST pool play games, they put themselves up to an arduous task: facing a top-ranked team, Sweden, in the first round of playoffs. Even though this wasn’t the most ideal matchup in the first round of playoffs, fans were hoping they could flip a switch and get things together.
The US lost a nail-biter in penalty kicks 5-4, ending their World Cup run. With this came a lot of disappointed and heartbroken fans.
“I expected better from them, disappointed me. Their best players didn’t play to their expectations and let the team down,” freshman Maddy Fallon said.
Reflecting upon the USWNT performance at the 2023 World Cup left fans with many thoughts and mixed emotions When looking at what the team struggled with, the most common issues such as leadership, coaching, communication, and complacency.
“They weren’t distributing the ball effectively. And the leaders/most talented players were not filling the shoes they were supposed to,” Maddy said.
Sydney also shared her input on the struggles that came about during the World Cup for the USWST.
“It didn’t seem like they were focused or energy was there throughout the tournament. No communication throughout the team,” Sydney said.
The outcome of the 2023 Women’s World Cup was different from what the USWST players or fans wanted and expected. However, going out there and competing on the level they do is accomplishing enough. All fans can ask is for them to represent our country and give it their all. Although this may be a setback for the USWNT, there is no doubt in fans’ minds that the players will put in the work, and USWST will get back to their true identity.
