Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Soccer Football – Women – Quarterfinal – Netherlands v United States – International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan – July 30, 2021. Megan Rapinoe of the United States wraps tape on the finger of Alex Morgan of the United States REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Soccer Football – Women – Quarterfinal – Netherlands v United States – International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan – July 30, 2021. Megan Rapinoe of the United States wraps tape on the finger of Alex Morgan of the United States REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
The USA women’s football team is arguably one of the most prolific teams in recent history. They arrived at the Tokyo Olympics on the back of unprecedented success, which includes winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, they suffered a shocking defeat against Canada in the semifinals. Despite the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd on the team sheet, the Americans settled for bronze in Tokyo.
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With the team back home, the three players spoke about their tournament.
Alex Morgan believes Team USA is still the best despite Tokyo Olympics failure
Team USA got off to a rocky start in the women’s football tournament at the Games. Despite carrying the tag of favorites, they suffered a 3-0 loss to Sweden that shocked fans across the world. However, they bounced back in the next three games to make the semifinals.
Although they faced an unfancied Canada, a 74th-minute penalty from Jessie Fleming caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. However, they bounced back in the bronze medal match, albeit surviving a late flurry from Australia to win 4-3.
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Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Soccer Football – Women – Bronze medal match – Australia v United States – Ibaraki Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki, Japan – August 5, 2021. Megan Rapinoe of the United States celebrates scoring their second goal with Carli Lloyd of the United States REUTERS/Edgar Su
On their return after the Games, Morgan, Rapinoe and Lloyd appeared on the Today show. While Morgan admitted winning gold was the aim, she believed their team’s still the best. She said,?“We’re pretty happy. Obviously we wish we were going away with gold for sure, but I don’t think we see [bronze] as a disappointment.”
“I think we’re still hanging out on top, you know? We still have that number one ranking.”
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Carli Lloyd believes USA did not deserve a gold medal in Tokyo
Although Morgan admitted they’re the best, Lloyd believes they did not deserve gold in Tokyo. However, she believed earning their bronze medal in their match with Australia made the Games special.
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She said,?“I don’t think we personally deserved to win a gold medal with the way we were playing. To have played so well in the last third place match, to come away with the bronze, we earned that, and I think that’s what makes it super special.”
Although they rank #1 in the world, one wonders what the future holds for the USA women’s football team. With Lloyd aged 39, Rapinoe 36 and Morgan 32, it seems the younger generation needs to step up in the coming years.
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