Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn just poured salt in the USWNT’s wounds after its shocking World Cup exit.
The U.S. team came into the tournament with a chance at three consecutive World Cup titles, but lost to Sweden in a penalty shootout during the Round of 16. It’s the earliest exit the USWNT has had at the World Cup. The U.S. also went winless through its final three games, its worst streak of all time.
Beerensteyn enjoyed the USWNT’s early exit, emphasizing that the team had entered the tournament cocky and she hopes the Americans learn from what happened. Her reaction once the U.S. were knocked out? “Yes, bye!” she told reporters on Thursday.
“From the start of the tournament, they had really big mouths and were already talking about the final. I was thinking you first have to show it on the pitch before you talk [big],” Beerensteyn said. “I’m not being rude in that way, I still have a lot of respect for them, but now they’re out of the tournament, and for me, it’s a relief, and for them, it’s something they will have to take with them in the future.”
Beerensteyn added that you shouldn’t start to talk about something that’s so far away.
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The U.S. faced the Netherlands in its second group stage game, drawing 1-1. The 26-year-old forward has one goal in two matches in this year’s World Cup. The Netherlands is set to face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday ET.
The U.S. national team is facing a transitional period with veterans Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz retiring. It’s unclear if coach Vlatko Andonovski will return, though it’s likely that a new person will be in charge during the next World Cup.
The USWNT will rely on younger players in the future. Key starters Sophia Smith, Naomi Girma and Trinity Rodman are all under 24. Phenom Alyssa Thompson is 18 and is considered a key part of the next generation.
