The USWNT lost their first game of the year to France 2-0 last week and it looks like all the drama looming over the World Cup has finally taken its toll.
The team is currently without 4 key players - Christie Rampone, Megan Rapinoe, Sydney Leroux and Hope Solo. According to Sounderatheart.com, some of the problem seems to be that the team relies too much on these players.
Rampone, Rapinoe, and Leroux are among the players who are injured while Solo is serving her 30 day suspension.
All of the injured players expect to be ready for the World Cup, however, it is possible that Solo could not be invited to play with the team, given the amount of legal drama she has been involved in.
This could be one of the contributing reasons of their loss along with the recent spell of bad luck.
Rampinoe had this to say in regards to Solo not playing in the World Cup, “I’ve definitely thought about that and that is a possibility.”
Solo is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been a key part of the national team’s success since 2008. Without her in the World Cup, the team may not last long.
Not only are injuries and suspensions a big problem with the US team, but they also just dropped a lawsuit against FIFA for the banning of artificial turf. With the focus on several other things than the game at hand, all of these factors could have played into their loss.
As long as the players can keep from getting injured and stay out of legal drama, these distractions will be long forgotten once the World Cup starts. However, if the US has to play shorthanded, you can expect the same performance in the World Cup.
It is possible that the reign of the US in women’s soccer may be coming to an end. Players like Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Carli Lloyd could be ending their time on the field for good, being that they are all in their 30s.
The beginning of the end of a great soccer legacy played a part in the loss against France. However,the team will try to prove to the doubters that they have it in them to have a great run in the World Cup, even through all of the adversity.
I think the USWNT will be unstoppable in the World Cup, just as they have been in the past. Even possibly without Hope Solo because she is not on the team alone.
There is plenty of time for the team to pull it together and have a good run in the World Cup but if these players do retire soon after, can this new generation uphold the legacy?
