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Megan Rapinoe got a triumphant send-off, and the United States beat South Africa 2-0. Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett scored, and the U.S. sent its captain toward retirement with one final victory as a member of the national team. The 38-year-old Rapinoe was presented a framed jersey representing her 203 games with the United States prior to the win, and she raised her arms as the crowd roared. Rodman gave the U.S. more to celebrate when she drilled the ball into the net off a cross from Alex Morgan in the 18th minute. Rapinoe was the first to hug her. Sonnett made it 2-0 with a header in the 49th minute and jumped into Rapinoe's arms. Rapinoe exited to a standing ovation in the 54th minute.

The United States played its best game of this Women's World Cup and it wasn't good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated in the round of 16. The Americans' bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks against Sweden. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O'Hara all missed with kicks from the spot. Lina Hurtig converted for Sweden to clinch the shootout 5-4 after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time. It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup. Sweden will play Japan in the quarterfinals.

The United States is clearly not the dominant team that won the 2019 Women's World Cup. The Americans have advanced to the knockout stage at this edition, but just barely after a 0-0 draw with Portugal in their final group match. With just one win and a pair of draws, the United States fell to second in Group E behind the Netherlands and heads to Melbourne, Australia, in the round of 16. They've appeared out of sync in the group games in New Zealand, but still have at least one more match to come together.

The Women's World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage. Some players have established themselves as ones to watch, like Colombia star Linda Caicedo. But co-host New Zealand has been eliminated and others are at risk of not advancing headed into the final few days of group play. There have been surprises such as Colombia's win against Germany and Nigeria's upset of co-host Australia, games that showed the gap has closed at top level women's soccer.

Rising star Trinity Rodman scored for U.S. in the 76th minute and again in the 88th, and the Americans finally capitalized on their many offensive chances to beat Wales 2-0 in a final tuneup for the Women's World Cup. First, Rodman broke up a scoreless tie when she one-touched a pass from Sophia Smith then later emphatically delivered again to provide a glimpse of Americans' youth movement headed Down Under this month.

Alex Morgan is riding a Wave heading into her fourth Women's World Cup appearance. She became a mom since helping the United States win a second straight World Cup title four years ago and is the marquee attraction for the San Diego Wave of the National Women's Soccer League. Morgan says she feels calmer heading into this World Cup and wants to represent mom athletes. She's one of three mothers on this U.S. squad and is often accompanied by 3-year-old daughter Charlie.

The United States heads into the Women's World Cup with a formidable group of wily veterans and eager newcomers. The question is, will it be enough for the team to lift international soccer's most prestigious trophy again? The United States has won the last two Women's World Cups and the goal is to three-peat. But American dominance in women's soccer isn't assured anymore. Teams like England and France have caught up, Germany and Sweden remain strong, and then there's rival Canada, which won gold at the last Olympics.