WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) — Needing only a tie to avoid Brazil in the quarterfinals, the United States lost to Sweden, 2-1, on Wednesday night, the team’s fourth loss since November and its first ever in group play at the Women’s World Cup.
“What I said to the team is, my glass is half-full, ” United States Coach Pia Sundhage said. “Even though we lost, we can come out as a winner if we take a different path. ”
She added: “We really want to play in the final. But we have to play some great games, play some great teams. I really want us to embrace this process. I think the team will get stronger. ”
Lisa Dahlkvist converted a penalty kick and Nilla Fischer scored on a deflected free kick for Sweden, which won Group C and will play Australia on Sunday in Augsburg. Abby Wambach got the United States back in the game in the 67th minute with her first goal of the tournament, but as they have all year, the Americans squandered too many chances and now must defeat Brazil on Sunday in Dresden to advance. Brazil was the runner-up to the Americans at the last two Olympics and to Germany at the 2007 World Cup.
The United States is the world’s No. 1-ranked team, but it has had a rough few months since being stunned by Mexico in regional World Cup qualifying. The team seemed to regain its momentum in the first two games of the World Cup, scoring five goals, allowing none and playing with a joy that has not been seen in recent months.
But Sweden put the Americans on their heels early after Amy LePeilbet tripped Schelin in the box in the 14th minute to earn a penalty. Dahlkvist curled the penalty kick into the left side of the net just beyond her fingertips of goalkeeper Hope Solo, and Sweden doubled its lead after Rachel Buehler was whistled for dragging down Therese Sjogran in the 35th minute. Fischer hammered her free kick into LePeilbet’s thigh and Solo, moving to her left, could do nothing to stop the bouncing ball.
“This team’s not going to give up, ” Solo said. “I believe in this team coming back. ”.