When the final whistle blew to confirm the United States’ 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday and their place in the World Cup knockouts, there was little celebration.
The camera panned to veteran Julie Ertz, whose expression was dejected and frustrated. If you hadn’t known the result, you would have assumed the US lost.
Three of the top eight ranked countries are now out of this tournament and if the US doesn’t improve their game, they may join them soon. It all adds up to good news for England, who many now believe have an easier route to the final than they expected.
The USA eventually finished second in their group, behind the Netherlands, and now face a tough last 16 draw with Sweden – who have won three of three games.
But compared to other countries, it could have been much worse. Germany, Brazil and Olympic champions Canada all dropped out of their groups to lower-ranked nations as the gap to the world’s leading teams narrowed.
Jamiaca delivered a stunning surprise on Wednesday by knocking out the tournament’s big beasts, Brazil
Germany failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time after a draw with South Korea
The USA made it through the group stage, but failed to impress in their attempt to defend the trophy
Germany had never failed to reach the quarter-finals before their 1-1 draw with South Korea saw Colombia and Morocco progress at their expense.
Brazil looked so good in their first match, as they beat Panama 4-0. But a defeat to France and a draw with Jamaica saw those two countries progress instead.
Canada had drawn with Nigeria and defeated the Republic of Ireland, but were beaten 4–0 by Australia in their final game.
The US performance against Portugal was shockingly bad. They didn’t look like a team that could win this tournament. Carli Lloyd, who won two World Cups and scored 134 goals in her 16-year international career, didn’t hold back in her analysis on Fox TV.
“Today was just uninspiring, disappointing,” said Lloyd. “They don’t look fit. They play as individuals. And the tactics are just too predictable.’
The US team is in a transition period. There are a large number of experienced, well-known stars coming to the end of their international careers and a large number of exciting young players who are the future, but not yet at their peak.
It may have been overlooked that 14 players in the squad of 23 are participating in their first World Cup. Manager Vlatko Andonovski is trying to merge youth and experience, but at the moment it is not working.
Alex Morgan was the picture of frustration when she was substituted against Portugal. The striker had only two shots on target in the entire group stage – and one was her penalty against Vietnam, which was saved.
Alex Morgan is struggling to find form Down Under and was substituted against Portugal
Sophia Smith has been announced as a possible player of the tournament, but has yet to catch fire
Megan Rapinoe only appeared for 75 minutes and struggled to impress when she was introduced.
Rapinoe was not expected to be a starter – she is there for her experience and leadership. The 38-year-old barked instructions and words of encouragement to her teammates as she came on against Portugal, but even that couldn’t bring the US to life.
The player everyone had been talking about taking part in this tournament was Sophia Smith. The 22-year-old scored the first two goals and assisted the third in the USA’s 3-0 victory over Vietnam. But against the Netherlands she gave away possession 26 times and her most notable contribution against Portugal was picking up a yellow card.
Smith still has the ability to lighten the knockouts and her impact is arguably limited because those around her aren’t doing enough.
Interestingly, Lloyd questioned the fitness of the US players, as Dutch national coach Andries Jonker made similar comments before their 1-1 draw: “In the past, the US was much fitter than the rest of the world, but that days are gone … what is left of their superiority?’
A Fox TV ad leading up to the tournament played on the perceived arrogance of the world champions, asking the question, “What will it take to stop this American team?” before a series of opposition countries did everything they could to defeat them. But after leading the way for so long, other countries have caught up.
The gap has narrowed significantly, to the point where smaller countries can not only compete with the US, but also achieve results against it.
Sweden will have fond memories of playing them in tournament football, beating them in the group stage at the 2020 Olympics.
Sweden topped their group and will prove to be formidable opponents for a low-confidence US squad
Manager Vlatko Andronovski has tried to combine youth and experience and has yet to find the formula
They will see opportunities again in Melbourne on Sunday, especially with veteran Rose Lavelle suspended for the US after receiving two yellow cards in the group stage. But the holders will still believe they can find shape at the right time.
Andonovski was defensive after their draw with Portugal. “Questioning the mentality of this team, the willingness to win and to compete – I think that’s insane,” he insisted.
“We know it’s not good enough and we’re not happy with the performance, but we’ve qualified for the next round and we’re moving on.”
The manager and his players know the pressure is on and massive improvements are needed if they are to lift the trophy for a third consecutive year.