The USWNT is full steam ahead after their stunning 3-0 loss to Sweden on Wednesday in their Olympic opener.
The thrashing was a wake-up call for the U.S., who haven’t lost by three or more in a major tournament since 2007.
With the team’s next two group-stage matches now must-wins, Megan Rapinoe says its “do-or-die mode.”
“You’ve got to pick up points, otherwise we’re going home quick, and you don’t want to do that.”
USWNT forward Christen Press echoed Rapinoe’s forward-looking mindset.
“The message is already ‘heads up, put it behind us, next game.’ There’s no time in a tournament like this to dwell.”
In her comments, Press referenced the USWNT’s 2008 Olympic loss to Norway. The team went on to capture the gold medal that year despite dropping the opening match 2-0.
Tierna Davidson said that USWNT veteran Kelley O’Hara galvanized the squad to approach the next match with renewed intensity.
“She was like: ‘We don’t have a choice. We have to come out the next game, and we have to be absolutely ruthless.”
The USWNT will face off against New Zealand on Saturday in the team’s next group-stage contest.