The U.S. Women's Soccer Team May Be Out of the Olympics, But They're Forever In Our Hearts

In a word, the U.S. Olympic Women's soccer team is an absolute dream. We were so sad when they suffered a killer loss on Friday following their game with Sweden because they represent everything good as a diverse group of women, some of whom are queer, some of whom we have major crushes on, all of whom are badass. We already miss them SO MUCH.

They may be done in this Olympics following the 4-3 loss to Sweden at Mané Garrincha Stadium in the quarterfinal round of the 2016 Olympic Games, their first Olympic loss since the Sydney Games in 2000, but they still have our hearts.

Here’s a little reminder of why we love them, and a big ol’ thanks from this queer gal with a soft spot for the team.

1. They lost with grace

In an exclusive interview with AOL, Megan Rapinoe said, "Obviously we're upset that we lost and we're just trying to make lemonade out of it. You know, quite frankly from a bigger perspective, we're Olympians and that's an incredible thing and we want to enjoy it. Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city and we're just trying to take it all in.”

2. And they plan to come back stronger than ever

"At the end of the day,” Kelley O'Hara said in the AOL interview, “you have to take your time to regroup and almost take your time to mourn and get through it. Our team is just great. We will bounce back and it will make us stronger. It's not how you fall, it's how you get back up.”

 

A photo posted by U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) on Aug 10, 2016 at 3:31pm PDT

3. They are seriously so badass

The sport itself is incredible, the women themselves are strong AF, and they are outspoken, brave, and they believe in themselves. It’s badass, and it makes them HUGE role models for us.

You go, girls.

 

A photo posted by U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) on Aug 12, 2016 at 10:08am PDT

4. They love their fans. It’s really so sweet

5. They believe in the beauty of the sport

"I think it's all about perspective, too,” Rapinoe said in the AOL interview. “Of course we pour our whole lives into this, and sacrifice everything, but it's part of the game, it's part of being a professional athlete and it's part of being at the very top. 'O futebol não tem lógica,' as they say here, 'football has no logic.' Probably, 8 or 9 times out of 10, we'd win that game, but that's what so beautiful about it. We'll go from here.”

6. And the fans LOVE them, too

They’re just as sad as we are.