In an unexpected turn of events, Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn didn't hold back in expressing her feelings about the U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNT) following their surprising elimination from the World Cup. Bernstein, who plays for Juventus and represents the Netherlands, criticized the USWNT's attitude and confidence, which she believes contributed to their early exit from the tournament.
The USWNT suffered a stunning Round of 16 defeat to Sweden, marking their earliest departure from the World Cup in history. Beerensteyn's perspective sheds light on what she perceived as the Americans' overconfidence from the moment they arrived in Australia and New Zealand for the tournament.
From Beerensteyn's point of view, the USWNT's demeanor was marked by arrogance and boastfulness, even before they could prove themselves on the pitch. She remarked, "From the start of the tournament, they had huge mouths and were already talking about the final. I thought you must show it on the pitch before you talk."
The USWNT's journey in the World Cup took a downward turn as they failed to secure victories in their final two group-stage matches. Their elimination came in a penalty shootout against Sweden, extending their winless streak to three games and leaving them with a scoring drought of 238 minutes – a record low for the team.
Despite the disappointment, the USWNT is now in a phase of transition, with established players like Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz announcing their retirements. This presents an opportunity for emerging talents such as Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Alyssa Thompson to step up and fill the void left by their predecessors.
While Beerensteyn acknowledges her respect for the USWNT, her candid comments highlight her relief at their exit and her belief that their premature departure is a lesson. She urged against indulging in far-reaching predictions and emphasized the importance of focusing on one's performance on the field rather than making grand declarations.
As Beerensteyn and the Netherlands prepare to face Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals, her words serve as a reminder that humility and dedication to the game are paramount, especially in the high-stakes world of international soccer.
