Aftermath of the USWNT's Loss 🇺🇸 💔

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It’s Monday, August 7th. Give us four minutes, we give you everything World Cup.

THE PRIDE OF A NATION: Sam Kerr finally runs in for Australia in the 80th minute of their Round of 16 clash with Denmark.

I. The aftermath of loss; USWNT out of the World Cup at earliest point in history 🇺🇸 💔

Sunday evening in Melbourne marked the first-time the USWNT has fallen anywhere short of third place in a World Cup. And, well, they fell remarkably short of it. They stumbled into a faceplant in the Round of 16.

Predictably, the earliest embers of initial disappointment have now given way to rampant and wide-ranging response, with everybody from your uncle that doesn’t watch soccer to Donald Trump weighing in.

Within the US, regrettably, no small measure of reaction seems glad to see a team fail for embodying a juxtaposition in their values. Outside the US, it’s undeniable that some see an arrogance to this team, and were glad to see that humbled. Others simply wished Goliath - four-time Champion Goliath - would stop winning the whole thing every time. And so this is that achieved then.

But beyond the feelings of frustration or schadenfreude, resides the beginning of a reckoning, and one that will be necessary for the growth of this program.

The most immediate questions surround the dual fates of manager Vlatko Andonovski and General Manager Kate Markgraf. With a few-year reign that has this decorated team looking lackluster, one imagines both leaders at the helm will be moved on. US Soccer made a statement this Monday (indicating more news would arrive in the coming days) which included the following:

“... As we always do after a major tournament, we will conduct a review to identify areas of improvement and determine our next steps. As we look ahead, we embrace the hard work necessary to become champions again.”

Should Andonovski and Markgraf indeed move on (which however likely, is not a foregone conclusion), the road to ‘becoming champions again’ will include far more than a simple manager shuffle.

Correctly, necessary evolutions elsewhere have been identified in this World Cup fallout, including issues in a complex development system and subpar results at the youth national team level. The way in which we develop coaches may require attention. Relatedly, so too might the skills we train for, and the style of play from the youth to NWSL-level. None of these are simple issues to address, though perhaps an exit this early is precisely the jolt needed to attempt it.

While these conversations churn beneath the surface, the hopeful heart might set their eyes on next summer, where an Olympic event awaits in France for a talent pool still brimming with players who may now be eager to take a revenge tour.

II. Sam Kerr debuts in Matildas 2-0 victory over Denmark 🇦🇺

At long, long last, the footballing pride of a nation cast their eyes on world-phenom Sam Kerr running into a World Cup match. For so long, a team fighting valiantly in her stead achieved victories, while the nation ached to see their star striker join them.

Last evening in Sydney, before yet another sellout of 75,784, the tournament co-hosts finally got their wish. Sam sailed into the match in the waning minutes of it, enough to bask in the cheers of her jubilant home crowd, and perhaps give a preview of what’s to come.

The Danes held more of the ball but the Matildas don’t need it (or perhaps want it) to control the game. Caitlin Foord (Arsenal) opened things in the 29th minute with a binge-worthy goal - just replay it over and over - as Foord sent it through the keeper’s legs to complete the perfect through ball from Mary Fowler (Manchester City).

And who better than Hayley Raso (Real Madrid), who once felt she’d never walk again after a football collision left her with broken vertebrae, to make it 2-0 in the 70th minute as she collected her third World Cup goal. Three World Cup goals for the girl that thought she’d never walk again, scored in front of a series of sold out home crowds. How can you not love this event?

III. England’s Lionesses survive Super Falcons clash in penalties 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Depending on your rooting interests, the football gods stayed cruel or kind as they smiled on England’s Round of 16 meeting with Nigeria, who for large swaths of a long game, were the better team in Brisbane.

But for all the questions asked for an England side ineffectual with the ball, Nigeria were wasteful with their more frequent opportunity, and never found the net. At the end of 90 minutes plus extra time, the Super Falcons had out shot England 20 to 12. Though they managed just two shots on target.

As for England, the signs of domineering play they’d progressed toward in Group D dissipated near-entirely in the knockout (despite the return of Barcelona’s Keira Walsh after injury). Nevertheless, a stoic mind arrived to guide them through to the final eight, as they waded through extra time and penalties while down to ten.

The foul on Houston Dash’s Michelle Alozie that sent off Chelsea’s Lauren James may haunt them. James seemed poised to be a breakout star, but her tournament is likely now over. (The red carries an automatic one-match suspension, but may be extended to include a suspension of up to three matches after FIFA review). But the confidence with which Chloe Kelly (Manchester City) sent the final penalty to the back of the net is the stuff of champions.

And so they move on, meeting either Jamaica or Colombia in the next round.

The Super Falcons fell short of being the first African nation to win a knockout match in the World Cup. But they close their tournament with incredible aplomb, evincing some of the most impressive performances we’ve seen from any nation as they competed with grace, skill, cohesion and preparation. And hats off to Randy “Mr. Blabbermouth” Waldrum, whose stand as manager of the Super Falcons was a success, despite conflict over pay and power with his federation swirling around him.

IV. COMING UP: Round of 16 Wraps Up 🏆 🌏

Just two more matches remain between us and the final eight matches of a tournament that will in the annals of time as one among the best we’ve ever witnessed. High-drama and heartbreak is near-assured, as two tough tests collide on the final day of the Round of 16.

France vs Morocco (7 a.m. EST, FS1, Peacock, Telemundo) 🇫🇷 🇲🇦

Should Morocco have more shocks up its sleeve, this clash with France would be quite the time to unfurl it. France are clear favorites, but in a World Cup this glorious, this chaotic, this beset with valiant new arrivals like Morocco arriving with tactical preparation and elite execution, that’s mattered little so far.

Jamaica vs Colombia (4 a.m. EST, FS1, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo) 🇯🇲 🇨🇴

Concacaf’s last hope resides within the Reggae Girlz, who having already made history this summer, might make some more in Melbourne. Colombia are well-equipped to stop them, though, and seem likely to pull through in part thanks to player of the World Cup contender, 18-year-old cancer survivor Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid).

V. News and Notes

1. From Jonathan Tannenwald at The Philadelphia Inquirer: the optimist’s view of the future to come

2. From Henry Bushnell at Yahoo Sports: what the US needs to do to stay elite

3. From The Independent: an outsiders’ perspective on American stagnation

VI. Parting Shots

“I just needed her to make it”

Sammy Mewy reacts to sister Kristie stepping up in the tensest moment, and sending her penalty to the back of the net.