.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's national team won the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a game that required a stout defensive fill in the first one-half adhered to by a specific and also calculated rise in the 2nd to refuse South america and also its fabulous captain Marta.It was actually a known finishing to a tournament that had been a lot concerning what's new for the USWNT: A brand-new coach in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of aggressors as well as a new expectation after the dissatisfaction of last summer season's Female's Planet Mug all harmonized all together to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and also to begin with due to the fact that 2012, for the united state women, who never ever tracked at any factor in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the succeeding goal in the 57th min with a glossy end after running through on objective, however younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- that supplied the ball-- and Sophia Johnson, that smartly ran away coming from the stage show after discovering she resided in an offside posture, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson buckled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Voyage as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's 4th goal of the event, most among the Americans as well as tied for second-most amongst all players in the competitors. South america, which had been actually in demand for much of game's onset, continued to push forward looking for an equalizer yet could not discover its own means via. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's most beneficial gamer in the 1st fifty percent, did certainly not permit a target in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the same industry where the men's teams from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their ultimate a time earlier, and also ladies's staffs started at a speed that at the very least hinted at a prospective repulsive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective provided a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a selection which was logical-- the team had only defeated France and Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- however still experienced weird. And Hayes fell Rose Lavelle coming from her schedule for Albert, a seeming nod to Lavelle's injury history as well as the possibility of extra opportunity. It goes without saying, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila possessed a close-range try spared by Naeher, an early cautionary tale that felt like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, South america maintained happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion line and also nearly drew a charge from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and whipped a fired right into the net that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson as well as just missed Ludmila along with a risky cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had seconds, also. Trio Rodman's magical twist at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of goal and Swanson utilized her speed too to draw an edge yet South america always felt more unsafe. Or even for Naeher-- that delivered a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half interruption opportunity-- the USA would certainly have been well responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to follow out with greater urgency as well as vigor. Smith crossed contemporary of Swanson's grasp and Sam Coffey that skided wide to acquire the united state crowd back into it prior to Albert discovered her room. An easy glimpse, a spirituous pass and also South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually expected to be her final worldwide, began at the hr yet was actually constantly shut in. 4 minutes right into 10 moments of stop opportunity, Adriana drove a diving header at objective coming from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == swatted away.Marta put her hands on her head. The American supporters shouted in pleasure. One year after unbelievable frustration, the USWNT was actually back.