For the first time in 12 years, the United States women’s national team are Olympic champions after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brazil in the tournament final on Saturday.
Mallory Swanson delivered the winning goal for the Americans while goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made several key stops to preserve the triumph. It marks the first major trophy win for the USWNT in the Hayes-era.
The game didn’t begin as Hayes would’ve hoped in her first major tournament final since taking the USWNT job 70 days ago, however. From the opening whistle, Brazil dominated the first half in nearly every way imaginable. Within two minutes, Ludmila had snuck behind the American back line for a free shot on goal which she luckily scuffed, allowing Naeher to save, but the threat was palpable.
Ludmila came extremely close to opening the scoring again in the 16th minute when she beat Naomi Girma one-on-one to open goalscoring space for herself. Crucially, the USWNT had kept Ludmila’s original run offside so the goal would not count for Brazil.
Solutions only further evaded the USWNT as the half progressed with the Americans struggling to release from their own half. Brazil continued doing an excellent job of building quickly into the attacking third and regaining the ball high up the pitch when they lost it to create space for service from the flanks.
The USWNT was fortunate to see an empty scoreline into halftime, especially as the referee allowed Crystal Dunn to get away with a rather clear foul inside the box without giving a penalty. Even Naeher was forced to make another save late in the half.
Momentum stabilized as the second half sparked the USWNT to find a foothold in the match with an increased intensity but the Americans were still limited to chances like Sam Coffey’s missed shot from the top of the box.
That is until Korbin Albert picked off a loose Brazilian pass before immediately feeding Swanson’s run behind Brazil’s back three. The 26-year-old made no mistake breaking the deadlock with a clinical finish to become the third USWNT player to score on her 100th cap in a major tournament.
With Swanson’s goal, “Triple Espresso” — the trio nickname chosen by Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman — scored ten of twelve USWNT Olympic goals in the campaign.
Aligning with many game-winning goals in major tournaments, controversy surrounds Smith’s involvement in the play from an offside position, but regardless of any fortunate refereeing the Americans received throughout the match, Swanson delivered in the big moment when no Brazilian counterpart could do the same.
As the clock ticked down toward an American gold medal, Naeher made her customary game-saving stop in stoppage time to deny Adriana and secure triumph for the USWNT.
Added to their four World Cup victories, the USWNT has won more major tournaments than every other team in the world combined (8) with their five Olympic gold medals. Other countries will continue trying to catch up but the United States women are back on top of their pedestal looking down on the rest of the football world.
Congrats USWNT! Was travelling and just now could watch the final. Man Brazil took it to us the first thirty minutes, but we didn’t give in, and despite how dangerous they looked, we never really gave up a clear chance. Naehar made the one great reaction save on a header, but I can’t recall when that was. Anyway, the second half was more even, Swanson took her chance, we held firm, and that is that. There was a defensive solidity about this group in this tournament, that has to be Hayes’ greatest contribution. Didn’t give up a goal in the knockouts…wow. And I’m man enough to eat a little crow regarding the lack of subs. Hayes rode the starters, and they held up, all the way thru the final. Don’t suppose Hayes could manage the men as well?
Proud of the USWNT
Loved the way it was done, 1-0 1-0 1-0
Thank you to the officiating who generally didn’t try to rip us off (did you see the BS in both basketball gold medal games? sheesh)
to all the dis-creditors and non-believers of this group out there in the world…it’s ok to have a change of heart, to grow, to learn…just like this team has right before our eyes. do you really still believe they have not earned your respect, whatever you believe in?
Cheers to Coach Hayes, her staff, and all the women of the USWNT
Well done!!
Hayes got so many things right with this team but still had a lot to work with even with choosing just 18. Hoping she continues to bring the best out of ladies.
What a match by the way! Brazil just flooded the US defensive third in the first half and the US just were not willing to play out of the back. Instead relying on direct balls and expecting to win second balls. At times Brazil was also willing to defend 1vs1 in there defensive third if the US could break lines with passes from the midfield?
Still thr US played with great composure and grit. Both teams had there chances, no doubt. The sequence of the ball played in by Albert was pretty amazing how both Swanson and Smith was aware of Smith being offside. Smith just drifted off ball showing little intent, too cool!
Obvious emerging and present stars but a few players had a great tournament without much praise. First, was Fox who just defended extremely well all tournament and was super clean on the ball. Dunn was pegged as a forward and played LB, no surprise. She no longer has excellent acceleration but remains savvy and physical on the ball. Defended very well and most of all kept defensive shape with the other four. Outstanding defending all Olympics. Sam Coffey just kept showing up and sticking in. You get the sense every experience at the international level is a whole new first time field experience and she kept responding. No doubt teams targeted the midfield with physical play, pushing them wide, and double teams
Extremely proud of this team and the results!
I guess the world really hasn’t caught up to us yet. Our recent failures were due to Vlatko / USSF insisting that we keep playing popular over the hill players rather than the best available. Emma changed (or was allied to change) that and she needs ti continue to do that. The big risk going forward is if we decide to set thia team un stone and market the current group of players rather than continually challenge them by allowing the younger players to try to take their jobs.
AlexH,
It’s worth remembering that the bulk of the team if not all of them were put together by Vlatko.
He left Hayes with a lot to work with so he’s not a total numb nuts.
Let’s see if the new manager feels the same way about what Gregg has left him.
I’m sure a healthy Mal Swanson helped a ton. At least Cheryl Reeves was smart enough to bench Diana Taurasi for the basketball team. Vlatko kept putting in Rapinoe no matter what.
Vlatko got screwed by the USSF because they did not let him pick his team. Kate Markgraf admitted that in an ESPN interview. There is no way a great coach ( and Vlatko is a great coach) would have picked who he picked and played who he played without pressure from above.
This team went as far as it did due to the team MVP: Naomi Girma. All 3 games in the knockout stage were shutouts, and Girma was a big reason for that.
2nd biggest reason: the revamping by Emma Hayes
US 9-1-0 under Hayes 20-2 GD 8 clean sheets. The team was much more pragmatic in the tournament than the SKor friendlies. Emma’s got three years now to get things they way she wants them. Shoring up the MF certainly on the list to do. Right behind convincing her friend Jurgen Klopp to come out of retirement.
Good win. That Brazil team is going to be a handful in 3 years.
With that being said our womens team is going to be even more stacked in 3 years.
Shaw
Macarrio
Yohannes
Are just 3 names.
Awfully quiet when the US wins
JR
Are you talking about Carli Lloyd?
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I know the women’s game is different but so much for the lack of international experience or veterans like Alex.
A good manager is a good manager.