Well, we’re going to wrap this blog up now, but our correspondent Caitlin Murray was at the game, and she’s written this match report.
Thanks lots for reading. Goodnight!
Tonight’s attendance: 32, 716. They’ll be happy enough, probably – it wasn’t a thriller, but it was competitive. A decent goalless draw.
Alexi Lalas praises the USA defence but criticises the attack. That’s about right!
USA played OK, but they didn’t really click as an attacking force. It looked like Lloyd was going to head in from Rapinoe’s cross, only to be denied by Samuelsson, but they didn’t really create a great deal, and huffed and puffed to limited effect. I guess they’ll be happy with a point – they’re top of Group D but haven’t qualified for the next stage yet.
USA really pressured in that final four minutes or so, but Sweden stood firm. Lindahl looked solid in goal, and that’s a deserved point for the Swedes. Neither side did enough to win, although Sweden came closest – Klingenberg heading Seger’s shot on to the bar and away.
Full-time: USA 0-0 Sweden
USA can’t make it count, though! Great, brave goalkeeping from Lindahl. And we finish here: it’s goalless.
90 min + 3: Slung in towards Wambach, but she can’t control the header. Corner, though! It came last off a Swedish head!
90 min + 2: USA try again, but it’s repelled by Sweden. One last chance!
90 min + 1: Three minutes of stoppage time. Can anyone win it??
90 min: Hearts in mouths for Sweden! They couldn’t clear it – I think there was probably a foul in there – and Klingenberg pumped it back in, and Wambach looked like she was going to get on the end of it, but there was an offside call.
89 min: Dahlkvist’s ball in to the near post, and it’s claimed by Solo. Now USA down the other end have a corner! Wambach wanted a penalty, but nothing doing.
88 min: Facchetti-esque defending from Johnston there! Jakobsson looked to go at her down the left, with pace and drive, but Johnston timed her tackle brilliantly. It’s a corner, though!
87 min: Rapinoe spins, pivots and twists down the left – and her cross is out of everyone’s reach. Goal kick. Sundhage looks relaxed!
86 min: It’s wasted. Sweden didn’t send many forward then, actually – they’re probably happy with a point.
85 min: Appelqvist is struggling now, but she’ll be OK. Sweden just trying to settle it in possession, but that’s a silly foul by Klingenberg on Jakobsson – the Swedish striker was going nowhere out on the right touchline. Chance to put the ball in the box.
83 min: Can USA find one piece of craft or skill or incision? Long ball for Morgan, but Fischer does well again! She’s cramping, though, Fischer, and now she’s down. Let’s have a break. Just replaying that clearance from Klingenberg: she did so well. Sundhage was head in hands on the bench!
81 min: Rapinoe goes again down the left, but that’s well defended by Ilestedt. Eek, it’s tight, is this!
80 min: Phew, that was a real slice of luck for USA. Sweden have come back into it in the past five minutes or so, and Schelin remains a threat.
78 min: Morgan on for Leroux. Actually, that was a brilliant clearance by Klingenberg – she headed it up on to the bar and away. Vital touch. Great defending!
Updated
77 min: Sweden hit the crossbar! A corner that USA couldn’t deal with, and Seger prodded it forward with Solo beaten – but back off the bar!
76 min: USA struggling to defend these set pieces. It’s another corner!
75 min: Solo came for that and didn’t get near it. Whacked clear by USA, but Samuelsson is fouled down the left, and a free-kick that Sjogran will take. No, she won’t, because she’s just been replaced by Appelqvist.
74 min: Jakobsson with a lovely feint, and her shot is deflected. Corner to Sweden.
72 min: Schelin and Jakobsson have been much quieter this half. Sweden have had to do much more defending – but still nothing clear-cut for USA. But that’s a good save from Lindahl! Rapinoe’s cross, and Wambach’s header! She headed it down into the turf, though, and although it bounced up, Lindahl was able to tip over. And Lloyd from the corner! A free header – she should have scored. Wide.
Updated
71 min: Change for Sweden: Sembrant for Nilsson. And a chance for Leroux, but she couldn’t get over it, and it’s muy high.
70 min: Sweden have battled gamely in this match, but they’re on the back foot here. Holiday’s long free-kick is easily cleared, though.
69 min: Corner for USA, but Lindahl claims well.
Rob Coughlin is a joker:
When is our women’s team going to catch up to our men’s team? I mean, our men can pretty much go into any top soccer playing nation and win.
Zing!
68 min: USA seeing a lot more of the ball. They’re definitely stepping up the intensity. And now Wambach on for press. The US-dominated crowd is going doolally. Samuelsson is back on, her head bandaged.
66 min: Wambach looks like she’s readying to come on. Sweden playing with 10 – Samuelsson went off after that defensive header – she collided with Lloyd making the clearance.
63 min: Ohhh, that was the chance for Sweden! They dispossessed USA, and had a two on one! Sjorgan and Schelin, breaking at speed, but Sjorgan’s pass was behind Schelin, and USA recovered. And that’s fabulous defending from Samuelsson! It looked like Lloyd was destined to get on the end of Rapinoe’s cross, but Samuelsson rose and flicked it away. Superb stuff.
Updated
61 min: Shout for handball against Fischer, but I think it came off her chest, although it may have brushed her biceps. USA coming on stronger here.
60 min: Oh, Samuelsson was in there, down the left! But her cross was miscued, and it’s a goal kick.
Landon Donovan is on the money:
Been really impressed with @_JulieJohnston_ these first two games. Smart, good pace and very tough. @ussoccer_wnt #1N1T #SheBelieves
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 13, 2015
Agreed. She’s been great.
58 min: Press with a swirler from distance. It’s over, but that’s more decisive from USA. And now a change – Amy Rodriguez in for Morgan Brian.
57 min: Corner from the USA, and that’s better, more positive. Rapinoe with the inswinger, and Lindahl’s in trouble! But the referee with the whistle. Who fouled who there?
56 min: Rapinoe shows some vim with a little run into the box, but it’s broken up, and Sweden knock it between themselves with assuredness. And then Schelin almost got in, but Solo was out quickly to claim. Sweden have started this second half well.
55 min: That’s the best chance of the game. And it was Sjogran, from long range, after a lovely little dummy from Jakobsson. It was central, and Solo was scrambling, but just over. Well played.
53 min: It’s tense. Neither side has blinked! And that’s nice from Sweden, worked cleverly down the right, but Jakobsson’s cross is awful.
51 min: Lloyd fouled. Free-kick USA, but the long ball to Press is out of play for a goal kick. That’s happened way too many times.
Nigel in Toronto is feeling poetic, and he’s sent in a haiku:
US player in blue
On her shirt is number two
Handled the ball: true.
Pulitzer, please!
49 min: Sweden clear, and now Jakobsson tries to break. She’s shepherded out well, but USA give it away! Nilsson’s shot from range is well wide, but that was a bad giveaway by Holiday, I think.
48 min: The commentators reckon Sweden will tire. Can they keep it up in the second half? And that’s a good attempt to Lloyd! Struck hard from the left side of the box, and Lindahl tips over. Corner.
46 min: We’re back out. No changes, I don’t think. Brian looks to dart in down the right, but that’s well defended by Sweden.
Oh my word! Look at this: Switzerland were leading Ecuador 2-0 at half-time in Vancouver. It finished 10-1. Poor old Angie Ponce scored two own goals – but she did score Ecuador’s goal, from the spot.
Some more half-time pictures:
Seger was convinced that was a PK. Here she is holding off Christen Press.
Here’s that Leroux non-call: what do you reckon?
VINE - Sydney Leroux might have gotten away with a hand ball #USA #SWE #FIFAWWC https://t.co/ROXJ9TZIyi
— FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) June 13, 2015
Not many goal chances in that first 45 – defences on top, and Sweden much improved from their outing against Nigeria. Rapinoe and Press look the most likely for USA, but they’ve been shut out well, and Jill Ellis’s team haven’t really created much. Two penalty shouts, though: Fischer on Press, and Leroux with what looked a clear handball that wasn’t seen by the officials.
It’s hard fought! But lacking some guile, probably.
Half-time: USA 0-0 Sweden
45 min: Nothing doing. Good marking from the Swedes. And that’s the half-time whistle. It’s like chess! Goalless at the half.
44 min: USA come again, but it’s just not sticking for them. Sweden look assured. But here’s Rapinoe, feeding Leroux. Corner!
43 min: Jakobsson is outmuscled by Johnston. Well played!
Richard McGahey has some tactical insight:
Swedish defense muscles US off the ball repeatedly. Entire game seems being played on the Swedish right side at both ends.
Yeah, Krieger has been given lots of room – USA just haven’t been able to make anything of it.
41 min: Sweden’s centre-backs have done really well – they’ve given Press and Leroux very little to work with. But here comes Krieger, in acres of space down the right. Her cross is straight at Lindahl. Bleurgh.
39 min: Holiday is fouled about 25 yards from goal. Sjogran didn’t like that call! Great chance here. Rapinoe with it … and she spanks it into orbit. A complete waste.
37 min: Another corner for Sweden. Their delivery has been disappointing so far, but Sjogran’s corner is better this time. Solo comes – and gets a crucial touch to clear. It wasn’t decisive, but it was enough.
36 min: Sweden with 58% possession so far. But USA cranking it up, and Rapinoe goes down the left. It’s blocked, but Sweden can’t clear, and Krieger looks for Rapinoe over the top again … she can’t collect, though. Well defended by Sweden. Gosh, this match is tight!
Updated
35 min: Schelin storms down the other end, and forces another corner, but Nilsson’s centre is disappointing, and USA clear.
33 min: Press looks to get in behind again, and that’s another corner. And that’s nice! Holiday finds Rapinoe, who had pulled away, but her shot is blocked. And that’s a fabulous reverse pass by Lloyd! Krieger got in down the right but just couldn’t pick someone out. Lovely football, though!
31 min: Schelin looks to go through the middle, but Solo is quickly off her line, and USA can attack once again. It comes to naught.
Here’s Harry Middleton:
I’m a referee from Berkshire,
Impressed with Sachiko Yamagishi from Japan, wouldn’t be awfully surprised to see her in Vancouver in July
Although she doesn’t have to do that well to improve on Japan’s refereeing effort in Brazil last year...
Yeah, Yuichi Nishimura stiffed Croatia against Brazil, eh?! Poor Dejan Lovren.
30 min: Rapinoe has been quiet so far – Seger and Fischer have marshalled her effectively. But that’s a corner to USA. Rapinoe with it, and it’s short, and with that goes the impetus. Why didn’t they sling it in the box?!
28 min: … and Dahlkvist from distance is over the bar.
Sweet Lou is not digging Cat Whitehill:
Cat Whitehill’s commentary is unbearable. Surely there is a female voice who is not so pro-US? The Taylor Twellman of women’s football.
Updated
27 min: This is really heating up now – it’s much improved. Now Jakobsson drives down the right and forces a corner. Nilsson with it …
25 min: Now it’s USA’s turn to attack. Press swivels and hits it – it’s blocked. But then Morgan Brian recycles it, and Sydney Leroux just misses out. Sweden rather at sixes and sevens there.
23 min: Schelin is offside, and USA can relax. Just looking on the replay from that corner – that’s handball by Leroux! Ooh, USA got lucky there – Leroux definitely handled it! Not given, though.
Here’s Raf Kaplan:
Over the top and overly parochial it may be, but it’s far better than women’s sport being ignored or treated as third rate, right? I am not convinced that this World Cup is even getting a television commercial on any major network in Australia let alone one trying to hype it as a big deal.
Updated
22 min: Ooh! Nilsson’s corner from the right, and Seger was unmarked! Shot blocked, though – was there a suspicion of hands? Sweden looking good so far: their passing is crisp, and the front two look dangerous. They’re on top.
21 min: Sjogran’s corner, headed clear. But Sweden come again down the right-hand side, and Dahlkvist’s ball is put behind by Lloyd again. Pressure here from the Swedes!
20 min: Better from Sweden – combination play between Schelin and Samuelsson, but they couldn’t quite get Dahlkvist in down the left. Then Schelin puts a beautiful cross in, and Krieger has to help it behind. Much better! Corner to Sweden.
18 min: Johnston steps out from central defence and is fouled. This time USA do get the ball in the box, and Holiday drives it in with pace … but it’s claimed confidently by Lindahl. Well held.
16 min: Little space so far. Interestingly, USA are not pressing the Swedish centre-backs: they’re dropping off so the Swedes can play out from the back. It’s tight!
14 min: Ooh! For a moment it looked like Press had been held by Fischer in the box. No call, though, and Press is pissed. Was Fischer holding her shorts? I’ve seen them given!
12 min: Still no goal chances. Defences on top.
Bernard Carolan thinks TV is hyping it up. TV? Surely not!
Dear Tim,
This US team is being oversold on the TV coverage in the US. One of the intros looks like a trailer for the Avengers movie.....Wambach as Thor?
Updated
11 min: USA look to release Press down the left. She can’t keep it in but she showed some serious pace there. Now Sweden respond, and they work it cutely in the inside-left channel. No room at the inn, though – USA solid in defence, and it’s a Swedish throw.
Updated
9 min: Better passing from Sweden, and they go down the left this time, but Dahlkvist and Samuelsson can’t combine. USA keep giving the ball away, though!
7 min: Sweden know they’re under pressure here – if they lose, they’re probably toast. That’s another short free kick for USA – you get the impression that if Wambach were in the side they’d be going much more direct. Passes not sticking so far, though.
Updated
John Pitre, don’t be guilty! There’s no judgment here.
Hi Tim.
Hoping guiltily that the US falter.
Only because I have tickets for the quarter final in Moncton, and if the US place #2 in their group - I get to see them, potentially against Brazil.
Its a guilty ambition, as I think they are one of the teams to beat and it would be a shame to have them and Brazil meet as early as the second round.
But I don’t have tickets (or airfare) for anything beyond Moncton!
5 min: Jakobsson looks a real threat for Sweden, but Samuelsson’s ball in is disappointing. No clear chances so far.
4 min: Then Jakobsson twists and turns in the box, showing close control, but can’t pick a pass. Good start from both sides.
3 min: The pitch is in shadow. Lovely conditions. Holiday is fouled 40 yards from goal, but USA go short instead of sending it into the box. But that’s the first chance! Johnston got up well in the box, but she can’t direct her header. Offside anyway.
1 min: And we’re off! And Sweden launch it long, straight out of play for a goal-kick. Hi, football!
USA go 4-4-2: Sydney Leroux and Christen Press up front. Carli Lloyd captains the side. Sweden match their system: expect much of the play to go through Schelin.
We’re listening to the anthems. Sweden’s uniforms are soooo good. Classic yellow and blue, manufactured by Adidas. And what a crest! They definitely win World Cup’s best dressed.
“Klyvert” has been pondering the Group of Death question:
@timmyhilleh Group B 2014- 3 heavyweights and one Round of 16 calibre team (Australia).
— Klyvert (@KlyvertFox) June 12, 2015
Yep, tough stuff: Spain, Chile, Holland, Australia. But I can’t believe Holland topped that group. They were shit! (Arjen Robben excluded, obviously.)
I’m impatient to get going! Enough of the phony war. Kick-off about seven minutes away.
Alexi Lalas on Fox thinks USA should beat Sweden: “Better goalkeeper, more depth, more quality up front.”
Updated
An email! Michael Jones from Carmel Valley, California, makes a perceptive point:
Here’s hoping the U.S. commentary is remotely neutral. Last match was like “Mission Accomplished”. Had to switch over to the Spanish feed.
Yeah, it’s annoying, that, isn’t it? I mean, I know most viewers probably want USA to win, but Fox could at least have some semblance of objectivity. Here at the Guardian we’re fair and balanced! Go USA and heja Sverige!
Anyone out there?!
Ecuador have been completely mugged off by the ref here! They’re 1-0 down – Ponce with an unfortunate own goal – but that was a clear foul on Quinteros by Kiwic in the penalty area! She really was bundled over – a barge and a trip! Not given. Switzerland dominating, though – almost at half-time.
Our US women’s soccer expert Caitlin Murray is in the stadium, and the crowd is going bananas for Megan Rapinoe:
#USWNT lineup is being announced here at Winnipeg Stadium. The loudest cheer of the group? Megan Rapinoe. Who doesn’t love a goalscorer?
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) June 12, 2015
Landon Donovan is sending positive vibes:
Good luck!!! https://t.co/F0q0fPCrMb
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 12, 2015
Look at this guy’s Sweden vest: imaginative, and also thrifty:
The American fans are out in force in Manitoba. U-S-A!
So, USA, Nigeria, Australia and Sweden in Group D here – tough stuff, but which is the toughest group of death? Argentina, England, Sweden and Nigeria in World Cup 2002? France, Italy, Holland and Romania in Euro 2008? Italy, Brazil and Argentina in second-phase Group C in 1982? Coldplay?
Wahayy!! Gags.
Anyway: email or tweet me – let’s have a heated debate!
Starting lineups are in!
USA: Solo; Klingenberg; Sauerbrunn; Johnston; Krieger; Holiday; Lloyd (c); Brian; Rapinoe; Press, Leroux.
Sweden: Lindahl; Fischer; Dahlkvist; Schelin (c); Jakobsson; Ilestedt; Sjogran; Nilsson; Seger; Samuelsson; Rubensson.
Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan start on the bench.
The lineup sheets are out. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/31LbPAZygb
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) June 12, 2015
By the way, have a look at this elbow from Nigeria’s Ugo Njoku on Sam Kerr. (Not Cecilia Nku – No 15 is Njoku.) Not cool, not nice – and she’ll almost certainly receive punishment retrospectively:
Disgraceful from Cecilia Nku for that dirty elbow on Samantha Kerr #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Zp9UGlYMQi
— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) June 12, 2015
Some admin: Australia played Nigeria just now in Group D – and beat them 2-0. That makes things interesting atop the group – all sides are still alive, although it looks bleak for Nigeria, who’ll have to beat USA in their final match to go through, regardless of today’s result in Winnipeg.
And Switzerland are taking on Ecuador in Vancouver. It’s currently 0-0 after 20 minutes, and the Swiss are on top. Let’s hope Ecuador don’t concede a totally gormless goal in the last minute, and lose 2-1, like the men did last year at the World Cup. Doh!
Anyway, that’s given this Group D fixture in Winnipeg “added spice”, as they say in the parlance (what is this, a recipe book?) , but all trash talk aside, this should be a really entertaining game. I, for, one, am really looking forward to it, and not just because I watched Kazakhstan-Turkey in the Euro 2016 qualifiers earlier and it was zzzzzz. (Turkey are lol! I know they won, but they are absolutely inept: the team of 2002 would be ashamed. Also, are Turkey the biggest underachievers in world football? Discuss!).
The Americans won well against Australia in their opening match after an iffy first half-hour, but Sweden rather messed up against Nigeria, drawing 3-3, and they need a result in this one. A loss, and they’re probably going home.
But they’re a good team, ranked No 5 in the world, even though they were unseeded in this tournament. And in Lotta Schelin, they have a true star – just don’t compare her to Zlatan. “I like that young girls look up to me as Lotta Schelin, not as the female Zlatan,” she sniffs.
For USA? Megan Rapinoe scored two against the Aussies – the Matildas! What a great nickname – and Solo made some top saves in that game. Coach Jill Ellis, formerly Sundhage’s No2, has found the going tougher in recent years, but there’s undoubted quality in this side, and USA want to win this and shove it up the Canadians’ accept the trophy graciously in front of their peaceable North American neighbours.
Kick off is 7pm local time, 8pm ET. Let’s do this!
Hi! Sometimes you just can’t resist, can you? You quit your job, leave your team, dump your partner … and then find time to engage in a good old bout of slagging off against the people you used to love. Pia Sundhage, the Swede who coached America with quite magnificent success, is now in charge of her home nation – but she’s had some rather choice words to say about her former employees this week in an article in the New York Times, published two days ago and designed, in true, cynical, journalistic fashion, to really set the cat amongst the pigeons. The best bits?
Hope Solo? “A piece of work.”
Carli Lloyd? “A challenge to coach.”
The squad generally: “Some of the players would complain about how much time we spent in hotels. I never understood it.”
The Americans, chastened, have listened respectfully and vowed to do their talking on the pitch! I’m paraphrasing: only dummies and tabloid journalists would actually use that daft phrase. But it’s been interesting – you sense Sundhage has some inner sadness, or hurt, even, about not being the coach any more. And she was so good: as the New York Times put it:
“Her results are difficult to dispute: She won gold medals with the United States at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and led her team to the final of the 2011 World Cup before losing to Japan in a penalty shootout.”
Quite right. What a star coach Sundhage is.
Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Caitlin Murray on why this Group D clash contains added bite:
Sundhage expanded on those comments Thursday and her tone was more positive, but her bluntness is still likely to make a seemingly media-trained American side flinch. Sundhage called Solo “a piece of work” but said that it made her good in goal, adding: “She is the best goalkeeper in the world, so why wouldn’t you try to make her happy? At the same time, having team spirit, it’s a little bit of a bumpy road.”
Sundhage also said Lloyd was “a player sometimes smarter than I am,” but that also meant Lloyd didn’t follow instructions at times.
More from Caitlin here:
