Credit: Twitter
The USWNT barely escaped elimination from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Portugal in their final group-stage match on Tuesday. The result was enough to secure the second spot in Group E and advance to the round of 16, but it was far from convincing for the four-time World Cup champions, who failed to score for the first time in 18 games at the tournament. A former USWNT star was furious at the team after they danced and laughed with their fans after such a disappointing performance.
While the USWNT players including Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan celebrated their qualification on the pitch by dancing and taking selfies with the fans, other players signed shirts and acknowledged the fans despite an underwhelming performance.
Carli Lloyd, who retired in 2021 after winning two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals with the USA, slammed the team for being "uninspiring and disappointing" and "playing not to lose versus playing to win."
Lloyd, who was part of the FOX Sports postgame show, also criticized the USWNT for losing their focus and passion and suggested that they were more concerned with "a lot of the off-field things that are happening" than with winning. She said, “I have witnessed something like that. There is a difference between respecting the fans and saying hello to your family but to be dancing, to be smiling. The player of the match was that post. You are lucky not to be going home right now.”
Watch the video here:
Lloyd also took a dig at the USWNT's pregame dancing, which she said showed "a difference between confidence and arrogance." She added that the team had shifted away from its winning mentality since 2020 when they won their fourth World Cup title in France.
Worst and longest two hours of soccer: Fans react after USWNT vs Portugal draw
The four-time World Cup champions, who had defeated Portugal in each of their previous 10 meetings, barely made it through with a scoreless draw against Portugal, needing a win or tie to avoid being eliminated in the group stage for the first time ever at a World Cup or Olympics.
Even though the game was much closer than it should have been, the USWNT still finished second in Group E and advanced thanks to the tie. Fans were disappointed with the performance, and with good reason, as the USWNT scraped through the group stage.
The USWNT will now most likely face Sweden in the round of 16 on Saturday, Aug. 6, and they will have to improve their form and mentality if they want to overcome their old rival and keep their hopes of a fifth World Cup title alive.
