Elimination: U.S. women's soccer just took its worst Olympics loss ever

Star forwards Alex Morgan and Christen Press missed penalties Friday as the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) suffered its most shocking Olympics loss in history.

The heavily favored USWNT's defeat by Sweden means it won't be featured in the Olympics gold medal game for the first time ... ever.

The USWNT won gold in 1996, the first year women's soccer was included in the Summer Olympics. It won silver in 2000, then gold again in 2004, 2008 and 2012. During that span, it also won the Women's World Cup in 1999 and 2015.

That's why bowing out in the quarterfinals Friday is such a total stunner. It's the first time the U.S. has failed to reach the semifinals of any major tournament.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The U.S. and Sweden were tied at one goal apiece after 90 minutes. Both teams had goals disallowed in extra time under controversial circumstances, which sent the match to penalties with elimination on the line.

Morgan's penalty was saved by Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and Press sailed her attempt over the crossbar. Lisa Dahlkvist then converted for Sweden to seal the deal as Sweden won 4-3 on penalties.

So is this the USWNT's worst loss ever? That is perhaps subjective. What's not subjective is this: It is the USWNT's earliest loss ever in a major tournament.

It's a huge loss, and one no one saw coming. But it's a defeat that speaks to how dominant the U.S. women have been for two decades.