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Sweden put an end to any hopes the U.S. Women's World Cup team had for a three-peat in their meeting in the round of 16s.
The Americans, for the second time, failed to notch a goal in regulation time and were hurt even worse when the aggressive Trinity Rodman had to go out with an injury. Just before the game headed into overtime, Megan Rapinoe, playing in her final Cup, was inserted. Rapinoe played subpar during the course of overtime, and when the game came to penalty kicks, she sailed her kick way high and laughed about it.
U.S. goalie Alyssa Naeher stopped the winning PK from Sweden but then dropped the ball, and it was ruled to have crossed the goal to give Sweden the win and a spot in the quarterfinals against Japan and give America its earliest exit in the history of Cup play.
USA limped to the knockout round of 16's, just barely, by beating Vietnam in a game filled with missed opportunities, playing to a 1-1 draw with Netherlands where it could not finish after dominating the second half, and tying Portugal in a frustrating 0-0 draw.
The U.S. had 14 players making their first World Cup appearance, and they did not play as a team, rather they played as talented individuals. Former U.S. women's forward and World Cup champion Carli Lloyd called the U.S. play "uninspiring and disappointing." She even said the team didn't look fit.
A few things stung the team, especially the loss of leading scorer Mallory Swanson, who tore her patella tendon and had to be scratched from the roster. Captain Becky Sauerbrunn, with great leadership qualities and experience, also was left off the roster due to a foot injury.
The American defense gave up only one goal, and the midfield controlled the ball well enough to set up the forwards with some excellent scoring opportunities, which were frittered away. This was especially evident in the opening game against Vietnam, where five or six easy opportunities to finish were simply missed.
It was a disappointing end for a team full of hopes.
Locally …
As scholastic soccer nears its start of play, there will be several teams to keep a close eye on.
The Bishop Guilfoyle Lady Mauraders will be bringing in five freshmen from the Premier Energy team which has faced and defeated the top competition from across the nation. Although only freshmen, they will not be playing the same strength of competition in scholastic play.
They should garner a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference title and a District 6 1A championship. Head coach Joe DeLeo has a strong group to work with.
The Altoona Area High School girls squad, under the leadership of Marc Frye, who is also the Energy head coach, will be bringing some incredible firepower into its lineup with freshmen players who were offensive powerhouses for the Energy. They should not have to struggle to defeat State College for a district title. The question will be is how deep can they go into the state playoffs? This has always proven a difficulty for the Altoona girls in past years.
All teams may suffer this scholastic season due to a shortage of PIAA referees. Some games may have to be postponed or even cancelled. Many of the PIAA referees have either retired from the ranks or have become tired of the growing problem of referee abuse.
There needs to be a zero tolerance policy of any type of referee abuse from coaches, players or fans. Although some have been quick to offer criticism of the soccer referees at the PIAA level, few have stepped forward to try their hand at the job.
Tom Schmitt writes a monthly soccer column for the Mirror.