USA Soccer: Men's, Women's National Teams Shock The World For Different Reasons

Both of the United States national soccer teams made headlines within a 24-hour period, but for opposite reasons. The heavily favored U.S. women’s national team was on the wrong end of an upset at the Tokyo Olympics, while the U.S. men pulled off a surprising win in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Team USA’s dreams of earning a gold medal were dashed Monday with a 1-0 loss to Canada in the semifinal of the Summer Games. U.S goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher left the match after 30 minutes with a knee injury. A penalty kick by Canada's Jessie Fleming was the difference in the contest.

"It's terrible. We just didn't have it today," U.S. star Megan Rapinoe said, via ESPN. "Jusin t too many errors from us again. I felt like the space was there for us to play and we just couldn't get into it, too many touches or, you know, an errant touch.

"That's football. They got, I think, one shot on goal, a PK, and from what it sounds like it was a PK. So yeah, it's a bitter one to swallow. Obviously we never want to lose to Canada. I don't think I've ever lost to Canada.

The U.S. women will compete for the bronze medal Thursday. Team USA has failed to reach the gold medal match in two straight Olympics after taking home gold in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Before the Olympics started, the U.S. women were odds-on favorites to win the gold medal in Tokyo.

The U.S. men didn’t even qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, but they have won a championship during this year’s Games. The U.S. upset Mexico on Sunday night 1-0 in the Gold Cup final without many of the roster’s best players.

With top players currently in Europe, it was a junior varsity lineup that led the U.S. to a championship in Las Vegas. Miles Robinson’s header in the 117th minute against Mexico gave the U.S. the title.

The U.S. men have a nine-match winning streak. They’ll look to carry that momentum into the World Cup qualifiers next month.