Underwhelming U.S. team slumps into Women’s World Cup knockout game against familiar foe

USA players take part in a training session at the Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne on August 4, 2023, ahead of the Women's World Cup football match between the USA and Sweden. Pic: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images

Frequent rivals Sweden and the United States will meet once again at the Women’s World Cup, but this time the stakes are tremendously higher.

The two-time defending champion Americans are struggling heading into the round of 16 match on Sunday against the Swedes, who they have played often in both the World Cup and the Olympics.