In a stunning upset in Olympic women's soccer Friday, Sweden eliminated defending gold medalists and reigning World Cup champions Team USA. The quarterfinal match in Brasilia went to penalty kicks after the teams deadlocked 1-1 through 120 minutes of play.
Sweden slotted four of its five penalty kicks past U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo of Seattle. Portland Thorns midfielder Lindsey Horan scored when it was her turn against Sweden's goalie. But overall Team USA made just three of its five penalty kicks, giving Sweden the upset victory.
The Swedes jumped for joy, while the U.S. players walked off heartbroken and in disbelief.
With the defeat, the American team is going home from the Olympics without a medal for the first time since women's soccer was added to the program.
Solo's Seattle Reign teammate Megan Rapinoe came on as a second-half substitute in the match, but was limited to about 30 minutes of play because she is still bouncing back from wintertime knee surgery.
Thorns players Tobin Heath and Meghan Klingenberg played the whole game. Allie Long started, but was subbed out in the second half of regulation. Horan came on later in a different substitution.
"Truly heartbroken," Rapinoe tweeted after the game. "But this (U.S. flag emoji) family is tough and fierce and brave and I'm f__ing proud to be a part of it."
Two foreign players on the Portland Thorns roster continue to play in the 2016 Olympic soccer tournament. Amandine Henry is a star on the French side and Christine Sinclair is a top scorer for Canada. Canada and France square off late Friday afternoon.
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