USA TODAY Sports
The United States women’s soccer team went three and out on Friday, bringing to an end a remarkable era of Olympic glory. After three consecutive gold medals the American women finally met their match in Sweden, losing in a thrilling quarterfinal that went to penalty kicks.
Hope Solo was unable to save the U.S. in the shootout, meaning the trend of no reining World Cup champion ever winning Olympic gold continues.
Alex Morgan had the opening kick of penalties saved by Hedvig Lindahl, but Solo brought the Americans back into contention by spectacularly stopping Sweden’s third kick from Linda Sembrant.