Klingenberg, U.S. stunned by Sweden in quarterfinal on penalty kicks

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Gibsonia's Meghan Klingenberg and the U.S. women's soccer team, a heavy favorite for Olympic gold, were stunned by Sweden in penalties, 4-3, after a 1-1 draw in their quarterfinal match Friday.

The Americans are reigning World Cup champions, as well as four-time Olympic gold medalists, and they hadn't previously lost a match in 2016. This was the earliest they'd been eliminated from an Olympics since women's soccer joined in 1996.

"Totally gut-wrenching," Klingenberg called the defeat  "But we're a resilient bunch. I'm always proud to represent the U.S.A. with this team."



The first three rounds of the shootout had the score even, but Sweden's Caroline Seger beat U.S. keeper Hope Solo, then Christen Press' hard try against Hedvig Lindhal sailed over the net, then Lisa Dahlkvist beat Solo to win.

The Swedes were coached by Pia Sundhage, who'd coached the Americans to their golds in Beijing and London. The U.S. was coached by Jill Ellis, who'd already been heavily criticized for her moves in this tournament -- including her usage of a largely ineffective Klingenberg -- and that surely will only heighten now. Klingenberg and three other regulars were benched for the final round-robin match, a flat 2-2 tie with Colombia, but Ellis reinsterted those players for this one, with Klingenberg returning to left back.

Klingenberg, 28, a standout at Pine-Richland High School, had been vying for her first Olympic medal.

Solo, always a lightning rod for controversy, was bitterly critical of Sweden's passive style under the Americans' former coach.

"I thought we played a courageous game," Solo said. "I thought we had many opportunities on goal. I think we showed a lot of heart. We came back from a goal down. I'm very proud of this team. I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly and firmly believe that."

Informed of Solo's comment, Sundhage retorted, "It's OK to be a coward if you win."