I read that the USWNT lost to Sweden on a shootout after the match was a draw. There are a number of stories/analyses about the loss and the meaning of it. Perhaps the team felt expectations to be able to win a World Cup for the third time in a row. Some picked at how one of the shootout goals was determined using electronic equipment. This same kind of equipment was used to determine that Michael Phelps won a race in the the Olympics by 1/100 of a second. It is the way that the game is played. To say that using shootouts or technology is “cruel” does not make sense. These are the rules of the game, this is how the game is played. This is sport – someone wins and someone loses.

As for the question of dynasties or multiple championships, it can happen. The New York Yankees, the Golden State Warriors, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Tennessee and UConn women’s basketball teams, all had multiple championships in their respective sports. Was it “cruel” that they had their period of domination? And over time, as those teams lost key players and other teams developed their talent, those teams fell. This is the eternal cycle of sport.

The main thing to remember is – this is why they play the game – sometimes the favorite is upset (think NCAA mens and womens basketball tournaments – indeed ALL athletic tournaments) – you have to go out and do your best, and even then, it may not be enough to win. However, if you gave it everything you had, and still lost, you still have the knowledge that you did all you could do, and that day someone else was better. Again, this is the eternal cycle of sport. There will be another World Cup in 4 years – let’s see what happens then.