USA-BRAZIL EXPRESS:
Aug. 10 in Paris
USA 1 Brazil 0. Goals: Swanson 57.
Att.: 43,813.
With resplendent sunbeams shining down on southwest Paris, the U.S. women’s national team took home a radiant gold medal with a narrow 1-0 win over Brazil in the women’s 2024 Olympic final. It was the first time returning to the top of the Olympic podium for the Stars and Stripes since the London Games in 2012 and a record fifth-ever gold medal for the program.
In a game of two halves, the USA appeared rattled after the first period but were able to stomach the blows that Brazil threw at them, and eventually topple the South Americans with a winning moment in the second half. At halftime, the USA trailed on expected goals 0.19 to 1.29 but by the end of the match it was a far more even 1.22 to 1.59. The Americans would finish the match second best in both possession (40%-60%) and in shots taken (9-13).
In the 58th minute, Mallory Swanson scored the gold-winning goal by meeting a through ball by Korbin Albert, bearing down on the Brazil goal, and cutely sneaking the ball into the net past Lorena. It was a magnificent way for the 26-year-old to celebrate her 100th cap for her country, especially after her and her teammates had struggled to make an impact for the best part of an hour.
Apart from a mighty save from USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 88th minute, to deny Adriana’s diving header from four yards out, Brazil never summoned much of a response. Those final 30 minutes of the Olympic final summarized what Coach Emma Hayes’ team has done better than any other nation in France. Even when the USA doesn’t play its best, these players can always calmly compose themselves and close out a match with everything on the line.
Mallory Swanson scores the 2024 Olympic final gamewinner. (AFP Photo)
USA Player Ratings
(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)
GOALKEEPER
Barely 90 seconds had passed before Alyssa Naeher was required to make a huge stop from just a few yards out. A mixup at the back allowed Gabi Portillho to lay-up Ludmilla wide open in front of goal. But the Brazilian’s big chance was sent straight into the hands of the American goalkeeper.
Naeher was called back into action to make an astounding save just before halftime, this time Gabi Portillho taking the close-range first-time shot herself. The Chicago Red Star not only was in the right place to make the reaction stop, but even managed to push the ball well away from danger. The fact the Americans went in at the break at 0-0 was in large part down to Naeher.
With all that fine work behind her, Naeher saved the best for last. With just a handful of minutes left, she pulled off an instantly iconic one-handed save to deflect Adriana’s header. The ball looked destined to go in. But not on Naeher’s watch. A true hero of this tournament.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
8
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) 112/0 (36)
DEFENDERS
At halftime, it would have been difficult to give anyone in U.S. defense a grade above a four. Brazil applied pressure and the USA appeared to be crumbling. But in the second half, the steel returned. The players looked revived and made vital stops. Outside of Adriana’s header, Brazil rarely threatened the backline after the interval.
Crystal Dunn looked incredibly nervous early on, and struggled to mark Adriana and contain Gabi Portilho in Brazil’s attack. The former almost scored on her watch, with the latter hoping to win a penalty kick when Dunn clattered into her on a 50/50 ball, but the referee and a VAR check decided not to intervene.
Like many of her teammates, Dunn grew into the game and could be seen tracking players tightly and fervently shutting down space as Brazil tried to get an equalizer. It became a much more confident showing after the break.
The same could be said for Emily Fox, on the right of the USA defense. Her marauding runs left space between her and Naomi Girma, and Brazil’s Ludmila exploited that space constantly.
U.S. fans were watching through their hands when Fox and Girma both made errors and Ludmila was sent through on goal. After a goddess-like tournament from Girma, perhaps this was just confirmation that she is human after all.
Having been arguably Brazil’s most threatening player, Ludmila was removed by Coach Arthuer Elias in the 60th minute, which certainly helped Fox have a resolute final chapter to the match. In place of Ludmila came Marta, who wasn’t able to find the same amount of joy unsettling the right side of the American defense.
Tierna Davidson, who suffered a knee contusion in the group stage, struggled to keep up with Brazil’s press and physicality. Hayes clearly identified her as a weak spot and used her first substitution to refresh the backline by bringing on Emily Sonnett for Davidson.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Emily Fox (Arsenal, ENG) 57/1 (26)
5
Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave) 40/0 (23)
4
Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC) 64/3 (25)
5
Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC) 155/25 (31)
MIDFIELDERS
While the USA’s defense was able to show stirring resolve in the second half to shut Brazil out and get the win, albeit with a big hand from Naeher, it felt as if the midfield never truly found its way into controlling the match.
Yes, the second half was better. Sam Coffey in particular showed nous to shield the players behind and help track the runners that wanted to make runs into the U.S. box. But her passing game was rarely seen. She committed two understandable fouls that helped slow down the verve of the South Americans, and whizzed one poor strike way over the bar from outside the box.
Lindsey Horan had another muddled affair where she was intended to be the most advanced player, and a commanding presence to help tee up the frontline. She also, perhaps due to fatigue, struggled with the physicality and tempo of the match. Especially in the first half, the game passed her by.
Overall, we never truly saw the best of the USA captain in the final, beyond one nice pass into space beyond Trinity Rodman that was played too far in front of the forward. She was fouled twice amid the choppy midfield battle, and almost had to be removed after a head collision in the 90th minute. Eventually, she returned to her feet and appeared fine.
Korbin Albert deserves credit for carving the Brazil defense open with the assist for the tournament-winning goal. She was a surprise start with Rose Lavelle not fit enough to go the distance through 90 minutes.
The 20-year-old plays her club soccer at the very stadium where the Olympic final was taking place, but she didn’t always look at home. Albert did make some good covering runs to get back and help Dunn.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
4
Lindsey Horan (Lyon, FRA) 156/35 (29)
6
Korbin Albert (Paris St. Germain, FRA) 18/1 (20)
5
Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns) 24/1 (25)
FORWARDS
The star-studded USA forward line – now affectionately known as ‘Triple Espresso’ – finished the tournament with a commendable 10 goals in six matches between them. Even more impressive is how evenly they spread out the goals: Mallory Swanson four, Sophia Smith three, and Trinity Rodman three.
The balance of the trio, and the ability for any one of them to come up big, has been their most remarkable feature. Swanson’s goal in the final also means that in each of the 1-0 knockout round victories, a different member of ‘Triple Espresso’ has scored the winning goal (Rodman: USA-Japan quarterfinal; Smith: USA-Germany semifinal).
Like those previous knockout round games, though, this was an outing where the USA attack struggled to show its true colors.
Beyond a dashing run before halftime, dribbling 40 yards and into the Brazil box, Swanson struggled to have much impact in open play or from set pieces, where her corner kick taking remains under par. Her winning goal was her second and final attempt of the match.
Clearly targeted by Brazil, Swanson was fouled three times. But again, couldn’t make those fouls count with dangerous set pieces. She then also committed three fouls herself, perhaps a sign of frustration.
Another one Brazil looked to impede with physicality, Smith also suffered three fouls and had the smallest impact of any of the front three. Her two shots taken didn’t threaten much, and she was lacking her usual burst. The 24-year-old – playing the final on her birthday – was almost in offside-call danger in the buildup to Swanson’s goal but did just enough not to be flagged for interfering with play.
If any American forward can handle fatigue and physicality it’s Rodman. There were times when her teammates appeared shaken but she was still getting into good positions. Spinning out of pressure, into space and playing inviting passes.
Rodman should have maybe tried to make more chances herself. Her only shot of the match was a bright breakaway run in the first half that ended with a poor effort curling wide of the post. But overall, it felt like she had more to offer in terms of trying to make things happen around the box and staying on the assignment defensively.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) 46/10 (22)
7
Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) 100/37 (26)
5
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) 56/20 (24)
SUBSTITUTES
With the USA a goal up, and Brazil seemingly ready to amp up the pressure, Hayes turned to Emily Sonnett as the plug needed to see out the final 16 minutes plus additional 10 minutes of stoppage time. It was a bold call, and the right one. Sonnet was assured and made plenty of no-nonsense decisions to make the Americans have gold medals.
Lynn Williams brought an important change of pace to the forward line and in general continued to freshen up the USWNT as the match reached its climax. The Gotham FC forward has been a model professional at these Games. Reliable, consistent, and willing to put in the hard yards and keep the shape.
With Hayes trying to kill any momentum in the final few moments, Casey Krueger once again came on as another veteran head to see out the game. One of the USA’s most wise and intelligent players. There wasn’t a lot of her to do in those final few minutes, but her presence made sure there were no late surprises.
Player (Club) caps/goals (age)
6
Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) 99/2 (30)
6
Lynn Williams (Gotham FC) 71/19 (31)
NR
Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit) 56/0 (33)
TRIVIA: Emma Hayes is now the fourth coach to win their first major international tournament in charge of the USWNT. That follows: Anson Dorrance (World Cup 1991, Pia Sundhage (Olympics 2008), Jill Ellis (World Cup 2015).
NOTABLE: By scoring the opening goal in the Olympic final against Brazil, the USWNT has scored the opening goal in 10 of 11 major tournament finals it has played in. The anomaly being the 1999 World Cup final against China, which finished 0-0.
UP NEXT: Currently on the USWNT schedule: home friendlies against Iceland (Oct. 24 in Austin and Oct. 27 in Nashville) and Argentina (Oct. 30 in Louisville). It faces England at Wembley Nov. 30.
Aug. 10 in Paris
USA 1 Brazil 0. Goals: Swanson 57.
USA — Naeher; Fox, Girma, Davidson (Sonnett, 74), Dunn; Horan, Albert, Coffey; Rodman, Swanson (Krueger, 90+5), Smith (Williams, 84).
Brazil — Lorena; Lauren (Rafaelle, 84), Tarciance, Thais; Adriana, Victoria Yaya (Ana Vitoria, 50), Duda (Angelina, 61), Yasmim; Portiho, Jheniffer (Priscila, 61), Ludmila (Marta, 61).
Yellow cards: USA — none; Brazil — Tarciance 81. Red cards: none.
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden). ARs: Almira Spahic (Sweden), Francesca Di Monte (Italy). 4th official: Rebecca Welch (England). VAR: Ivan Bebek (Croatia). AVAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain).
Att.: 43,813.
Stats:
USA/Brazil
Shots: 9/13
Shots on target: 3/4
Saves: 4/3
Corner Kicks: 5/7
Fouls: 12/15
Offside: 5/2
Possession: 40%/60%
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Publish date : 2024-08-10 09:47:00
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