August 10th 2024.
In an intense match at the Paris Games, the U.S. women's soccer team emerged victorious, earning their fifth Olympic gold medal. It was a nail-biting moment when Mallory Swanson had to warn her teammate Sophia Smith not to touch the ball as it came through, knowing that Smith was offside. Swanson, on the other hand, was in the clear and ready to make her move. She yelled, "Don't touch it! Leave it, leave it, leave it!" and it was up to her to score the winning goal in the 57th minute.
This win marked the first gold medal for the U.S. since the 2012 London Olympics, and it was a proud moment for the team in their first international tournament under the leadership of new coach Emma Hayes. The golden feet of Coloradans Swanson, Smith, and captain Lindsey Horan played a significant role in securing this victory. Swanson, who made her 100th national team appearance, finished the tournament with four goals and two assists, while Smith had three goals and one assist and Horan had two assists.
The game was not without its tense moments, as goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a crucial one-handed save in stoppage time to preserve the win. As the final whistle blew and Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." played in the stadium, the U.S. players celebrated their hard-earned victory.
Swanson reflected on the team's growth, both on and off the field, saying, "We've grown so much and that's really cool to see. We've grown as players and as people. And you've probably heard it before, but we played with joy. We had so much fun, and I'm just so happy."
The U.S. team had some famous faces in the crowd, including former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe, her fiance and former WNBA player Sue Bird, and actor Tom Cruise. The result was a heartbreak for Brazil and its iconic star, Marta, who has never won a Women's World Cup or an Olympics in her six appearances. This was expected to be her last major international tournament, making the loss even more significant.
This was the third time the U.S. has beaten Brazil in an Olympic final, with previous victories in 2004 and 2008. The U.S. has a strong history in women's soccer, with gold medals in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (the first time women's soccer was played at the Olympics), 2012 London Olympics, and now in 2024 at the Paris Games.
Coach Emma Hayes, a London native, was emotional as she reflected on her journey with the team, saying, "I'm very emotional. It's been a dream of mine to be in this position. I have to thank my dad for pushing me to this point and giving me the opportunity to coach this incredible group of players. They have received me so well and taken on everything I've asked of them. They are tremendous people, players, and role models. I love them."
Three years ago in Tokyo, the U.S. team had to settle for the bronze medal, and they were knocked out in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. It was a tough defeat, but it only fueled their determination to come back stronger and win the gold in Paris.
The U.S. team had a young lineup, with an average age of 26.7, and they proved themselves against tough competition. They faced some challenges, but with Hayes' guidance, they quickly formed a strong chemistry, particularly among forwards Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson, who scored 10 of the 12 U.S. goals in the tournament. Naeher and the U.S. defense were also crucial in their success, only allowing two goals throughout the tournament.
Brazil had their own chances in the game, with Ludmila having a clear shot in the second minute, but it went straight into Naeher's arms. They also appeared to score in the 16th minute, but it was ruled offside. Naeher kept the game scoreless at halftime with a fantastic save in stoppage time.
Hayes made one change to her lineup for the final, starting Korbin Albert instead of Rose Lavelle. It was the second youngest lineup in a gold medal match, with the average age of 26.7. The youngest lineup was in the 1996 final, with an average age of 25.8.
Brazil may have finished third in their group in France, but they fought hard in their matches, earning one of two third-place spots in the knockout round. The U.S. advanced to the final with a 1-0 victory over Germany in extra time, where Smith scored the winning goal. Brazil also had an impressive 4-2 victory over Women's World Cup champions Spain to secure their spot in the final.
Germany went on to win the bronze medal with a 1-0 victory over Spain in Lyon on Friday. When asked if the U.S. team was confident in their ability to win the gold in Paris, defender Naomi Girma simply replied, "We always believed." This win is a testament to their hard work, determination, and unwavering belief in themselves as a team.
The Denver Post contributed to this report. For more sports news, sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the analysis on Denver's teams.
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