Author: Nancy Armour, USA TODAY

Megan Rapinoe missing a penalty kick and USWNT losing was the dream ending for her critics. But her impact will carry on long after she’s gone.

Even with significant injuries and an inexperienced World Cup roster, this is a USWNT failure of epic proportions, columnist Nancy Armour writes.

Germany, a two-time champion and world’s No. 2 team, eliminated in group stage for first time in World Cup history because of two upstart teams.

USWNT faces archnemesis Sweden in round of 16, and a loss would mean earliest exit ever at World Cup or Olympics for four-time World Cup champions.

Former US captain Carli Lloyd has ripped her old teammates for several days, questioning their preparation and passion

The USWNT has reached semifinals at every World Cup and Olympics except Rio Games in 2016, when it lost to Sweden in quarterfinals on penalty kicks.

There are 3 bold changes the USWNT can make to reverse its fortunes and beat Sweden. No. 1 is put Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn back in the midfield.

USWNT finishes second in World Cup group stage for the second time, and advances with one win for the first time. But publicly, they seem unbothered.