The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), the most successful team in World Cup history with four titles, has always been a formidable force in the tournament. During their recent World Cup campaign, however, the USWNT collectively heaved a sigh of relief as they celebrated their last-minute passage to the knockout stages.  The team’s celebrations after the feat, led by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, drew criticism from one of their own – Carli Lloyd.

The former goal-scoring hero was unimpressed by the team’s performance on the pitch and their post-match antics. When asked about Lloyd’s criticism, the Stars and Stripes captain, Lindsay Horan, defended her team.

Carli Lloyd shares her key insights for USWNT

As the USWNT gears up to face Sweden in the knockout stage, Carli Lloyd has shared her thoughts on what the team needs to do to secure a victory. According to Lloyd, who had previously slammed Rapinoe and Morgan for dancing, there are two critical aspects that the women’s national team must focus on – tactical cohesion and mindset. She believes that a cohesive defensive strategy is crucial.  Additionally, Lloyd emphasizes the significance of the team’s mindset amidst the noise and criticism surrounding them.

She said, “You know, the team that has displayed their play throughout the group stage, and the second thing is their mindset. There’s been a lot of noise. There’s been a lot of talk. There’s been a lot of criticism amongst this desk, but I want to see the true character of this team. I want to see this team come out and say that they blocked out the noise; they’re hearing the noise. But how are you going to respond to that noise? There’s joy when you’re winning, and that’s what they need to do.”

Also Read: “Go Win This Game” – After Struggling Their Way to Next World Cup Round, USWNT’s Lindsey Horan Overlooks Media Scrutiny and Makes Bold Claims About the Next Match

As the Stars and Stripes embark on their journey to face Sweden. The pressure is high, not only on the players but also on USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski, who faces questions about his tactical decisions and substitutions.

A test of resilience vs. Sweden

Despite a shaky performance in the group stages, the USA managed to secure a draw and a place in the knockout stages. The round-of-16 match against Sweden will be the sixth meeting between the two teams in World Cup history. The rivalry is intense, and the USWNT will undoubtedly be seeking redemption. After Sweden handed them a humbling 3-0 defeat in their opening match at the Tokyo Olympics. Also, they now have a chance to rewrite their World Cup narrative and continue their pursuit of the “three-peat.”

But the question on everyone’s mind is, how will the United States rebound after a disappointing run through the group play?  What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Watch this story: American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams