Sweden's Kosovare Asllani defends legacy of USWNT 'pioneers' after early World Cup exit
The United States women's soccer team received criticism when it was eliminated from the World Cup by Sweden in the knockout round Sunday. It's the four-time champion's earliest exit ever as the next-earliest departure was the semifinals, which has happened three times.
But even as their fellow citizens have reveled in what is being called the USWNT's demise, players from across the world have upheld the team's legacy. Kosovare Asllani was part of the side that ended Megan Rapinoe's national team career with a 0-0 game that Sweden won 5-4 in penalty kicks.
"The U.S. Women's National Team, they're pioneers," Asllani told former USWNT star Tobin Heath on "The RE—CAP Show" in an interview posted on Monday. "I mean, you are raising the game. You are opening doors for the rest of the community, the rest of the world. You are first with everything."
Asllani, who also plays for Serie A club AC Milan, went on to describe an interaction she had after the knockout round match where she defended the legacy of the USWNT.
"I had an interview with an American journalist yesterday and he was talking so much in his question," she said. "I was like, 'How can you ask me this?' He asked basically, 'Oh, the U.S. are talking about the American team is so over, la, la, la.' And I was like, 'Don't talk (expletive) about the American team.' That's basically what I said."
The USWNT were playing for a historic third consecutive World Cup title. They have spoken out against unequal pay and achieved landmark benefits from U.S. Soccer. The team is also a voice for racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
Other teams in the World Cup, including Canada, Jamaica, Nigeria and Spain, continue to battle for equal pay. There were eight sides making their debut at this year's tournament.
"You're raising the game on every level on and off the pitch," Asllani said. "Especially off the pitch."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT legacy defended by Sweden Kosovare Asllani after World Cup loss
