In the highest-resolution image, even when examined up close, there was no trace of daylight. The margin by which the United States was eliminated from the Women’s World Cup was so minuscule that it cannot be measured in a unit recognized by the country. A mere millimeter, equivalent to 0.04 inches, can be the delicate border between two contrasting realities. This is the hidden truth of sports: the line between victory and defeat, joy and disappointment, is often thinner than we allow ourselves to believe. And yet, the United States can find solace in this revelation. “Having your World Cup end by a millimeter is tough,” expressed Alyssa Naeher, the U.S. goalkeeper, after her team’s loss to Sweden in a penalty shootout on Sunday. It is effortless to imagine how the outcome could have been different. Perhaps if Naeher had intercepted Lina Hurtig’s shot from a slightly different angle, the ball would have been deflected to safety. Or if Hurtig had struck the penalty with more or less force, Naeher could have made a decisive save. Given a second chance, maybe the United States would have emerged victorious in the round of 16, the entire tournament, and ultimately claimed the title. However, this comfort is illusory, just like the notion that the United States was eliminated by a millimeter. It was not a single penalty that shattered their hopes of securing a third consecutive World Cup title; it was the accumulation of failures. Moments in sports do not exist in isolation. There is irony in the fact that the United States showed signs of life against Sweden, the same team they had previously underperformed against. In Melbourne, Australia, players like Naomi Girma, Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Lynn Williams displayed moments of brilliance, offering glimpses of the team’s potential. Yet, the shortcomings leading up to this point cannot be ignored. The United States failed to defeat both the Netherlands and Portugal in the group stage. As the reigning champion and pre-tournament favorite, the United States won only one game in Australia and New Zealand, against Vietnam. Their journey had already drifted from its intended path. To attribute this disappointment solely to luck would be a disservice to the lessons that can be learned from these failures. The blame cannot be placed solely on coach Vlatko Andonovski, although it is likely he will be removed before his contract expires. There are deeper issues that must be addressed, including the fragmented system of player development in the United States, which relies heavily on pay-to-play youth teams operating independently from elite adult teams and the college system. This approach was effective when the United States dominated women’s soccer, but now that major men’s teams in Europe and South America have recognized and embraced the importance of women’s soccer, this system is inadequate. The emphasis on physicality rather than skill is also a drawback. It is no coincidence that the United States was eliminated from the tournament in the absence of their most inventive player, Rose Lavelle. Nurturing talent is only the first step; the United States needs its players competing in Europe’s major leagues to better understand their own abilities and gauge their relative strength. The current squad’s lack of exposure to European competition is a sign of isolationism and a potential hindrance to success. A generational shift is necessary, as exemplified by the retirement of players like Megan Rapinoe. Painful as it may be, this transition is crucial for the team’s future growth. These players hold immense cultural significance, as they have championed causes beyond the sport, such as equal pay, equal rights, and the fight against racism, misogyny, and homophobia. They inspire and mean something to fans in a way that transcends regular sports fandom. However, their activism must always flow from their success on the field. When they are no longer the dominant force, they can no longer be protected for their symbolic value alone. Their worth as athletes must be assessed, and this requires knowing when to bid farewell. Whether or not Naeher had saved Hurtig’s penalty, the destiny of this United States team remained unchanged. It was always destined to reach the end of its journey. Regardless of where the ball lands, the United States now finds itself at the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
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