USWNT wins its fifth Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in final
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PARIS — The U.S. women’s soccer team is golden again.
And, as has been the case throughout the team’s run at the Paris Games, the Americans have Colorado to thank.
The United States won its fifth Olympic gold medal by beating Brazil 1-0 on Colorado native Mallory Swanson’s early second-half goal in the tournament final Saturday at the Paris Games.
The Americans, who hadn’t won gold since the 2012 London Olympics, closed out an undefeated run to the title in their first international campaign under new coach Emma Hayes.
Along the way, it was the golden feet of Coloradans Swanson, Sophia Smith and captain Lindsey Horan who did the most damage. Swanson finished the tournament with four goals and two assists, while Smith had three goals and one assist.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher preserved Saturday’s win with a one-handed save on Adriana’s header in stoppage time at Parc des Princes. At the final whistle, the U.S. players celebrated as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” played in the stadium.
The loss is more heartbreak for Brazil and its iconic star, Marta. The six-time world player of the year has never won a Women’s World Cup or an Olympics. This is expected to be her last major international tournament.
It was the third victory for the United States over Brazil in an Olympic final. The Americans also beat the Brazilians in the 2004 in Athens and four years later in Beijing.
Brazil has never finished better than runner-up at the Olympics.
“I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position,” said Hayes, a London native. “I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who pushed me to this point to be able to come and coach an unbelievable group of players that have received me so well and taken on board everything I have asked. They are tremendous people and players and role models. Yeah, I love them.”
United States team players celebrate after defeating Brazil during the women’s soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Three years ago in Tokyo, the U.S. settled for the bronze medal. The Americans were knocked out in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Swanson’s 57th-minute goal came in her 100th appearance with the United States.
Tom Cruise and former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe were among those in the crowd.
The U.S. also won gold in 1996 at the Atlanta Games in the first women’s soccer tournament at the Olympics.
