A year after crashing out of the World Cup, the resilient USWNT beat Brazil, win Olympic gold medal, reclaim elite status
Just 16 months ago, the world watched on as Mallory Swanson saw her World Cup dreams come unraveled. Off she went, carted off with an injury just a few months before the tournament. It was heartbreaking, as Swanson's shot at glory had been ripped away, and the U.S. women's national team didn't recover.
She had to be thinking about that on Saturday as she blitzed forward. It was just her and her alone, baring down on Brazil's Lorena Leite with the ball in the second half, a tournament and a program at her feet. She made no mistake. Swanson tucked her shot into the bottom corner, and with it earned a gold medal and helped restore the USWNT among the most elite programs in the global game.
Swanson's goal was all the U.S. would need to take down Brazil and claim the Americans' record fifth Olympic gold. Saturday's final was the sixth gold medal game for the USWNT (out of eight Olympics in which women's soccer was contested). The history is undeniable: The USWNT has the most Olympic gold and most total medals in the history of the Games, now having won five golds, one silver and one bronze. And after being shut out of the medal round in 2016 and taking bronze at the 2021 Games, this was first chance to claim Olympic gold in 12 years.
And this one, in many ways, felt more unlikely than any that came before it. Just a year ago, this USWNT had a very noisy and disappointing fall from grace. On Saturday, they completed their comeback, as Emma Hayes took the U.S. back to the top in just her 10th match as coach.
"First of all, we have to play the game, not the occasion," Hayes told NBC after the match, "and I felt the way Brazil played… a lot of duels, a lot of 1v1s, they don't really want to allow you time and space, so no problem. We got more aggressive as the game went on, I was encouraging by that. The heart, the determination, the grit, everything about these players is so unbelievable. I'm so proud."
Swanson will go down as the hero, but she wasn't the only one. Alyssa Naeher, again, made the save that was needed to protect the fragile 1-0 lead. The defense, despite strong moments, battled harder than they have all tournament. And Hayes, the tactical wizard behind it all, completed her rebuild just weeks after starting it.
The U.S. is back on top. GOAL rates the USWNT's players in the Olympic final from Parc des Princes in Paris.
USA Today SportsGoalkeeper & Defense
Alyssa Naeher (8/10):
Don't let it go overlooked. Naeher was absolutely fantastic yet again, headlined by a tipped save in stoppage time. She also had one save late in the first half that, ultimately, kept the U.S. in it. Overall, magnificent once again.
Crystal Dunn (7/10):
Looked a little bit fatigued at times, but was still massive for the U.S. Had several great defensive sequences, particularly early when Brazil piled on the pressure.
Tierna Davidson (6/10):
Didn't look fit, but she soldiered on. Had some difficult moments against Brazil's talented front line, but it was very much a case of bend but don't break.
Naomi Girma (6/10):
She almost looked…human? For the first time in the tournament, Girma wasn't perfect as she had a few rough moments. Luckily, the rest of the team was there to pick her up, as she so often does for them.
Emily Fox (7/10):
They won't show up much on the stat sheet, but Fox did so many things that were necessary on the defensive end. Headers away, clearances, tackles. Fox handled business again.
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Sam Coffey (7/10):
Got little to no help defensively during the first half, which required her to be just about everywhere. She was, helping the U.S. navigate a difficult start.
Lindsey Horan (5/10):
Never really got going. Had a tough game defensively and really struggled with her passing. Just didn't really impact the game on either side of the ball.
Korbin Albert (7/10):
Absolutely magnificent pass to set up Swanson's goal. It will mask some of the difficulties she faced on the other side of the ball but, hey, she created the one moment the U.S. needed.
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Mal Swanson (8/10):
The golden goalscorer. Swanson made no mistake with her finish, which ensured she'd end her 100th cap as a champion. What a comeback for the winger, who more than earned this moment as the hero.
Sophia Smith (6/10):
Best thing she did was not touch the ball on Swanson's goal to keep everything onside. Didn't really have many huge moments of her own in this match.
Trinity Rodman (6/10):
There was a Trin spin or two in there, but little else. Gave the ball away too much and didn't have many of her signature sequences where she makes defenders miserable.
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Emily Sonnett (6/10):
Came on to replace a fading Davidson to ensure the U.S. backline would hold firm.
Lynn Williams (N/A):
A super late sub to give the U.S. fresh legs.
Casey Krueger (N/A):
Tossed in late in stoppage time to kill the game off.
Emma Hayes (7/10):
She did it. It was nervy, to be fair, as the U.S. certainly lost some battles, especially in the first half. They didn't lose the game, though, as Hayes pulled all the right strings once again to take this team from mess to champion within a matter of weeks.
