The indicators that the U.S. nationwide group’s dominance was slipping began to emerge again on the Tokyo Olympics.
The US was vying to change into the primary group to win an Olympic gold medal after profitable a Ladies’s World Cup. However the group stumbled alongside the best way.
The U.S. misplaced to nemesis Sweden within the opening recreation, then fell to Canada within the semifinals. A victory over Australia for the bronze received the Individuals a spot on the rostrum — simply not on the prime as they’d hoped.
There was nonetheless time to appropriate the failings forward of the 2023 World Cup, however the U.S. finally stumbled once more, ending second in its group on the match earlier than getting eradicated — once more by Sweden — on penalties within the spherical of 16.
It was the earliest exit ever for america. Following the match, coach Vlatko Andonovski introduced he was leaving the group.
Enter Emma Hayes, head coach at Chelsea, who was employed to show issues round. Hayes was appointed final November however solely just lately joined the group after the conclusion of the Ladies’s Tremendous League season.
ALSO READ | Emma Hayes’ first roster as coach of the USWNT contains two gamers making nationwide debut
She didn’t have a lot in-person time with the group, simply two friendlies, earlier than she needed to choose a good Olympic roster with solely 18 gamers.
When she introduced it, she dropped a bombshell: Veteran ahead Alex Morgan was left off the squad going to France.
Hayes made it clear that is the brand new era for america.
“I believe for me, I’ve been clear that every thing we’re doing is a step-by-step strategy to get us as shut as we probably can to our greatest stage, to our greatest model of ourselves,” Hayes mentioned. “It is a group that’s making actually good progress in doing that. And my curiosity and funding is getting our performances proper.”
The US is the winningest group within the Olympics, with 4 gold medals, however the latest got here in 2012. Heading into the Paris Video games, the Individuals fell to No. 5 in FIFA’s world rankings, their lowest ever.
The Individuals open with Zambia on July 25 in Group B, which additionally contains 2016 Olympic gold medalist Germany and Australia.
Australia continues to be in search of a primary medal after dropping the bronze to the Individuals in Japan, however the Matildas might be with out captain Sam Kerr, who tore her ACL in January.
ALSO READ | Australia confirms Kerr to overlook Paris Olympics
Spain can change into the primary group to win an Olympics after a World Cup title, however the group is coming off a collection of scandals.
Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales resigned in shame within the fallout for forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso throughout Spain’s World Cup victory celebration. The group additionally fired controversial World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda, who was changed by former nationwide group participant Montse Tome.
Regardless of the tumult, La Roja is immensely proficient, with FIFA World Participant of the Yr and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and dynamic 20-year-old winger Salma Paralluelo. The group earned a spot within the Olympics by profitable the UEFA Ladies’s Nations League.
“We’re working to be a group that individuals admire in soccer on the pitch and in addition from what we painting from the skin,” Tomé mentioned in asserting her provisional Olympic squad.
Spain is making its Olympic debut. The group opens with Japan in Group C, which additionally contains Nigeria and Brazil.
ALSO READ | Japan beats North Korea to clinch Paris Olympic ladies’s soccer spot
Brazilian nice Marta doubtless is enjoying in her final main match. The 38-year-old plans to retire from the nationwide group on the finish of the 12 months.
Canada received the gold medal in Tokyo on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Sweden. So it was one thing of a shock when the group was eradicated within the group stage on the World Cup.
Since then, Canada has been adjusting with out longtime captain Christine Sinclair, the all-time main worldwide scorer amongst each women and men, who retired from the nationwide group late final 12 months.
“Groups are at all times in transition, and we’ve had lots of transition lately. However because the World Cup I’ve felt like we’ve had lots of actually good performances as a group, and also you’re seeing a few of our youthful gamers step up, which is cool,” new captain Jessie Fleming mentioned.
Canada opens with New Zealand in Group A. Colombia and host France spherical out the group.
The Olympic ladies’s soccer match begins July 25. It is going to be performed at stadiums in cities throughout France, together with Good, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne and Paris.
The semifinals will happen in Lyon and Marseille on August 6. The gold-medal match is ready for August 10 at Parc des Princes in Paris, whereas Lyon will host the bronze-medal recreation the day earlier than.