The U.S. women’s national team is in a bad place as it arrives in a very good place: Australia, for a round-of-16 matchup against Sweden in the Women’s World Cup. The Americans could certainly upset the Swedes, but I wouldn’t wager on it, and, judging from their demeanor against Portugal a few days ago, neither would they. Nothing about their performance in the group stage indicates they can win four more games.
Getting inside the head of one person is hard enough. Getting inside 23 heads at the same time is far beyond my capabilities, though apparently well within Carli Lloyd’s. So I can’t possibly say what the Americans are thinking as they enter the Sweden game, and I would not assume every American is thinking the same thing.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
