During the Women's World Cup this year, the performance of the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) has raised concerns. On Tuesday, they barely managed to advance to the next round with a disappointing 0-0 tie against Portugal.
The team's lackluster play has been a recurring issue throughout the tournament. According to the New York Post, Tuesday's game marked the third consecutive uninspired performance, making it the worst showing for the USWNT in this World Cup.
The USWNT's struggle has resulted in them finishing this round far behind in Group E, as the Netherlands dominated with a 7-0 victory over Vietnam. Going forward, it is likely that the U.S. will face Sweden, who defeated the U.S. women's team in Tokyo two years ago.
Former USWNT star, Carli Lloyd, criticized the current players and specifically targeted head coach Vlatko Antonovski for the team's lackluster performance against Portugal. Lloyd expressed her disappointment, stating that she is not witnessing the same level of passion from the USWNT that people are accustomed to seeing.
In response, Antonovski dismissed Lloyd's comments as "insane" and defended the team's mentality and willingness to compete, emphasizing their dedication in preparing for the tournament.
This World Cup marks only the second time the USWNT has not won their group and has found themselves among the lower-ranking teams in the competition. The team members are disappointed in themselves but are focused on the upcoming game and the opportunity to redeem themselves.
However, if the U.S. does not survive the next round and fails to become a contender, it will bring an unfavorable end to the career of team captain and well-known activist Megan Rapinoe, who is retiring after this season.
Adding to the controversy, the USWNT drew criticism from Americans for their anti-American protest during the playing of the U.S. national anthem in this year's World Cup. Last week, they faced backlash when they stood silently and with serious expressions while the national anthem played during their game against the Netherlands.
The current state of the USWNT's performance raises concerns about their ability to compete for the title.