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Megan Rapinoe: 'It's a Bitter 1 to Swallow ... Don't Think I've Ever Lost to Canada'
August 2, 2021
The United States women's national soccer team will not be taking home gold at the Summer Olympics for the second consecutive tournament.
Canada defeated the heavily favored U.S. 1-0 in the semifinals Monday in a match that served as a microcosm of the Americans' struggles throughout the event. Star forward Megan Rapinoe admitted the team is taking the loss hard.
"It's terrible. We just didn't have it today. Just too many errors from us again. I felt like the space was there for us to play and we just couldn't get into it, too many touches or, you know, an errant touch.
"That's football. They got, I think, one shot on goal, a PK, and from what it sounds like it was a PK. So yeah, it's a bitter one to swallow. Obviously we never want to lose to Canada. I don't think I've ever lost to Canada.
"So it's a bitter one. Obviously there's still a lot to compete for. That's what I told the girls and what we talked about in the huddle. It's not the color we want, but there's still a medal on the line. That's a huge thing and we want to win that game, but yeah, this is...this sucks. It sucks."
The USWNT failed to live up to their pre-tournament billing as favorites from the outset. They dropped their opening match to Sweden, which halted a 44-match unbeaten streak and then played a goalless draw against the outmatched Australia in their final group-stage contest.
While the team seemed to coalesce as the tournament progressed, the U.S. looked lifeless on the attack Monday against Canada.
It was clear that the United States had a significant talent advantage, but they came they came through with consistently poor execution when given scoring chances.
The United States will get a chance to earn bronze in a rematch against Australia on Thursday. That match could also be the 36-year-old Rapinoe's final Olympic contest as a member of the national team.
