Alyssa Naeher on Sweden's game-winner: 'I thought I had it'

MELBOURNE, Australia – Alyssa Naeher dropped to the turf in shock as Megan Rapinoe, Kelley O'Hara and Andi Sullivan rushed to embrace her.

The United States, the two-time defending World Cup champion and No. 1-ranked team in the world, had just been eliminated by Sweden via a penalty shootout in the round of 16 on Sunday. Naeher, the veteran U.S. goalkeeper, couldn't believe the way it all ended. 

On the final, dramatic penalty kick, Naeher celebrated as if she had come up with a monumental save. That was, until she realized she hadn't. Lina Hurtig, Sweden's seventh shooter, hit the crossbar and Naeher thought she batted the ball away from the goal line. Turns out, VAR and photo evidence proved the ball just barely went over the line, knocking the U.S. out of the tournament.

"Ugh, yeah," Naeher said after taking a deep breath. "It's tough to have your World Cup end by a millimeter."

For the record, there was no solace to be taken for almost saving it or how close she came.

"I don't think there are any moral victories in a round of 16 game," said Naeher, who was playing in her third World Cup. "A loss is a loss."

[ Inside the nail-biting drama of the US-Sweden penalty shootout ]

While it might take a few days or weeks or months (or longer) for her to get there, Naeher was a bright spot for the USWNT in an otherwise dim World Cup. The 35-year-old goalkeeper allowed only one goal in four matches and recorded her seventh clean sheet at a World Cup, which ranks third in U.S. history behind Hope Solo (10) and Brianna Scurry (nine).

But she doesn't care much for individual success.

"It's a team sport," Naeher said. "It's all of us together every step of the way and it's all of us in every moment in every game and we