Taylor Twellman has ripped into the US women’s national team after it’s shock World Cup exit, insisting that change is needed ‘from top to bottom’ after its ‘inexplicable failure’ to defend its crown as reigning champions.
The former U.S. forward, who played professionally from 2000 to 2010, didn’t hold himself back in his analysis of the women’s loss to Sweden in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday, slamming the team’s preparations going into the round of 16.
‘In this World Cup, technical, tactical — they were completely outdone!,’ the 43-year-old told TMZ Sports. ‘It was obvious.’
What’s more is that Twellman pointed out the team’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal throughout the tournament’s group stage as one of the reasons for its lackluster display against the Swedes.
‘They didn’t score a goal in 238 minutes,’ he said. ‘You are the number one nation in the world, that’s inexplicable. So, now this is a watershed moment.’
Taylor Twellman didn’t hold back in his analysis of the USWNT’s World Cup displays in Australia
Twellman claimed the US’ lack of cutting edge is to blame for the team’s shock exit vs. Sweden
Prior to the start of the World Cup, bookies had the U.S. women’s national team as favorites to win their third crown in a row, but after a convincing win against Vietnam in their first game on the world’s biggest stage, the Star and Stripes tied twice, both against Portugal and the Netherlands in goalless draws, barely qualifying to the knockout round of 16, before losing to Sweden in a penalty shootout.
The loss stirred criticism from all around, with star forward Megan Rapinoe being slammed in particular for cracking a smile following her miss from the spot.
Players were also condemned for their attitudes and arrogance off the pitch by former US women’s national team midfielder, Carli Lloyd, and former US defender, Alexi Lalas.
And now, for how to proceed going forward, Twellman has envisioned a plan of what needs to be done, starting from the grassroots.
Megan Rapinoe’s been perhaps slammed the most since the US’ exit in the round of 16, Sunday
Twellman’s criticism of the USWNT comes after Carli Lloyd pointed out the team’s ‘arrogance’
‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result,’ said the New England Revolution legend. ‘I think top to bottom, the United States Federation on the women’s side has to look at development, they have to look at the collegiate part of it, they have to look at the development within the professional leagues.’
‘Are the professional leagues developing the players the right way? Is technique a huge part of it, or is it just about being bigger, faster and stronger than the other countries? It’s not gonna work anymore.’
‘This women’s World Cup has exposed the failure of the United States women to develop, and this generation I think did not carry on the mentality that winning comes first, everything else is secondary, and I think some of that criticism has been correct on that,’ Twellman added.
Mentality is exactly what Lloyd pointed out as one of the US’ weaknesses heading into the matchup against Sweden, as players celebrated their draw against Portugal in their last group stage game as if it were a win following what was another subpar display.
‘I think it’s telling that she brought it up because what we saw during the World Cup kind of backs Carli Lloyd’s opinion,’ Twellman said.