The United States beat Australia 4-3 on Thursday, sealing a women's soccer bronze medal in what could be a final prize in the international careers of several iconic American stars.
Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe sealed the Olympic medal for Team USA with two goals apiece in Kashima, aided by a late defensive effort to survive a dramatic comeback.
The team's quest for another gold was ended in a 1-0 semifinal loss to Canada, which faces Sweden on Friday in the gold medal match.
The USWNT will leave Japan disappointed with a third-place finish, in a scene starkly different from just 23 months ago.
That's when the Americans swaggered their way to the World Cup championship in France and were celebrated with a ticker-tape parade in New York City days later.
The Americans also won gold medals at the 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games, as well as a silver in Australia in 2002.
But there was no such glory at the Tokyo Olympics, where the team looked out of sorts throughout the tournament.
