The Americans take on the No. 3-ranked team in the world on Friday in a bid to keep their dream of a first Olympic gold in nine years alive.
Two years since meeting in the World Cup final, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and the Netherlands cross paths again in the quarterfinal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In terms of importance, a place in the semifinals of an Olympic tournament may pale in comparison to soccer’s greatest prize, but Friday’s showdown in Yokohama is undoubtedly the most important game the USWNT has played since triumphing in France two years ago. The pre-tournament favorite heading into the Tokyo Games, the reigning world champions have limped into the knockout stages. A 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Sweden in the opening game was followed by a convincing 6-1 drubbing of New Zealand, before a stalemate draw against Australia sealed a spot in the quarterfinals. Finishing second in Group G behind Sweden could have huge implications for the remainder of the tournament and not just because this year marks the first time the USWNT has failed to win its group at the Games since women’s soccer was first added to the Olympics program in Atlanta in 25 years ago. By not topping the group, the USWNT’s path to a first Olympic final since London 2012 has got considerably more complicated with the No.3-ranked side in the world waiting in the quarterfinals. A potential semifinal against Brazil or Canada, No.7 and No.8 in the world, respectively, looms on the horizon. USWNT star Alex Morgan, however, insisted the performances in the group stage will bear no impact on the Americans’ chances to progress through the knockout phase.
