Women's World Cup 2023: USA head into last 16 with issues to solve
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Women's World Cup 2023: Portugal draw enough for USA to advance to last 16 - highlights
Two-time Women's World Cup winner Carli Lloyd called it "uninspiring", "lacklustre" and "too predictable".
USA boss Vlatko Andonovski went on the defensive and said it was "insane" for anyone to question the mentality of his team.
It did not take long for the fallout to begin after the United States' latest underwhelming performance at the World Cup.
A 0-0 draw against Portugal saw the defending champions scrape into the last 16 as they survived an almighty scare in Auckland.
In the 91st minute a ball was played over the top of the USA defence.
Portugal substitute Ana Capeta hit a first-time shot past Alyssa Naeher but, to the relief of the thousands of American fans inside New Zealand's national stadium, the ball hit the post - instead of the back of the net.
The USA, the world's number one team for so long, were inches away from going out at the group stage.
"The player of the match was that post," said Lloyd, who helped the USA win the World Cup in 2015 and 2019. "They're lucky not to be going home."
Instead they advance to the last 16 as runners-up in Group E with five points, their fewest total in what is their ninth appearance at the World Cup.
Following a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Wellington last week, this was another disted performance which raised more questions than answers.
The Stars and Stripes are nowhere near hitting the form that saw them win back-to-back World Cups.
"We just have to get better," Andonovski itted afterwards.
'Insane to question this team'
The USA have five days to regroup and find a solution following two disappointing performances by their high standards.
Even the 3-0 win over World Cup debutants Vietnam in the opening group game was peppered with missed opportunities before they were forced to come from behind to secure a point against the Netherlands.
On Tuesday against World Cup debutants Portugal they carved out 17 chances, of which six were on target.
Yet they failed to find the net at the World Cup for the first time since a 0-0 draw with Sweden in 2015 in Canada.
Andonovski had named the same starting XI for the first two games but opted to made two changes against Portugal.
Rose Lavelle, who has recovered from a recent knee injury, started after coming off the bench to provide the assist for Lindsey Horan to equalise in the previous game.
Forward Lynn Williams also got her first taste of this World Cup as Savannah DeMelo and Trinity Rodman dropped out.
But the USA could not find a way through a determined Portugal defence.
Speaking on Fox Sports, Lloyd did not hold back about the performance.
"Today was uninspiring. Disappointing. They don't look fit," she said., external "They're playing as individuals and the tactics are too predictable.
"There's a difference between confident and arrogance. Where is the direction going">