.Sam Borden, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's national team gained the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a game that required a stout defensive fill in the 1st one-half observed by an accurate and computed rise in the 2nd to refuse South america as well as its legendary captain Marta.It was a familiar finishing to an event that had been so much about what's new for the USWNT: A brand new train in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of attackers as well as a new expectation after the disappointment of last summer's Women's World Mug all meshed together to result in a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and initially considering that 2012, for the united state females, who never ever tracked at any point in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining goal in the 57th moment with a slick finish after running through on goal, but youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the reception-- and also Sophia Johnson, who smartly escaped coming from the play after realizing she resided in an offside placement, were the companies. The moment Swanson crinkled her chance past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth objective of the competition, the majority of amongst the Americans as well as tied for second-most amongst all gamers in the competitors. Brazil, which had been actually in command for much of game's beginning, continued to precipitate looking for a counterpoise but couldn't find its way with. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her crew's very most useful player in the 1st half, carried out not allow a target in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the same industry where the males's groups coming from Spain and France played out an eight-goal classic in their final a time previously, and ladies's crews began at a rate that a minimum of hinted at a potential annoying fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's objective delivered a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was reasonable-- the group had actually simply defeated France and also Spain while she served a red-card suspension-- however still felt peculiar. And Hayes lost Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's accident background as well as the possibility of additional opportunity. Obviously, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they did in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians came out pushing. Inside pair of mins, Ludmila had a close-range go conserved through Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that seemed like an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion line and also virtually pulled a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as castigated a shot into the net that was eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and merely skipped Ludmila with an unsafe cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, also. Trio Rodman's enchanting spin at midfield delivered her soaring towards goal and also Swanson utilized her rate at the same time to pull a corner but Brazil consistently experienced extra dangerous. If not for Naeher-- who delivered a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half blockage time-- the U.S. would possess been properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and also able ahead out with more significant necessity as well as virility. Smith went across just out of Swanson's reach as well as Sam Coffey that swerved broad to obtain the united state group back in to it just before Albert discovered her room. An easy glance, a heady pass and also Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics as well as what is anticipated to become her ultimate international, started at the hr yet was regularly suppressed. Four mins in to 10 mins of stoppage opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at target from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == swatted away.Marta put her palms on her scalp. The United States followers chanted in joy. One year after amazing disappointment, the USWNT was back.