8/10/2024
USA 1, Brazil 0
After taking home bronze at the last Olympic games the USWNT has gotten to the top of the podium again after beating Brazil 1-0 in the gold medal match. It is the 3rd time these teams have met with the gold medal on the line with the USWNT winning all 3 matches.
The US won their previous 2 matches in Paris with stoppage time goals and relying heavily on the starting eleven. While the Brazilians have won in regulation and use a number of subs so coming into the final their legs were a little fresher.
Brazil used that to their advantage by putting constant pressure on the US backline with several crossing passes and corners. It even looked like Brazil went ahead off a nice countering run only to have the goal called off due to offsides. That close call seemed to wake the Americans and they played the rest of the half to a 0-0 tie.
In the second half team USA found their second wind and started to be the more aggressive team offensively. The 57th minute had the aggression paid off with Korbin Albert finding Mallory Swanson on a thru ball that Swanson sent into the back of the net. The Brazilian defenders pleaded for an offside but the VAR confirmed the goal. 1-0 USA.
Brazil couldn’t wait any longer and had to pull out their secret weapon, MARTA. One of the greatest if not the greatest female players of all-time. Gone is the fire red lipstick but the touch and competitive drive is still there even if this is her final match in Canary yellow. She had her opportunities and so did her team. Four minutes into stoppage time Adriana got free in the US 18 yard box and sent a hard shot towards the far post only to have Alyssa Naeher throw up a mitt and seal the win.
Coach Emma Hayes has brought the team back to the top for the first time since 2012 and extends their gold medal count to 5. With a young core of scorers and a rock solid back line all eyes are locked in on team USA at the 2028 Olympics in LA.
7/29/2024
The USWNT aren’t just looking to advance out of the group round they are expecting to take home a medal and if all goes as planned it will be gold. Women’s soccer has been a recognized Olympic sport since 1996 and the US has been dominant. Taking home gold 4 times 96′, 04′, 08′, and 2012. They played in the gold medal match in 2000 but fell to Norway. The last 2 Olympics 2016 and 2020 both ended in unexpected exits after losses to Sweden.
The Stars and Stripes have a 27-7-4 record at the Olympics and are currently ranked 5th in FIFA. New head coach Emma Hayes has a good mix of veteran players and young stars in the making. They started their Olympic bid with a 3-0 win over Zambia and followed that with a 4-1 win over Germany the #4 ranked team in FIFA. They play Australia on July 31 to finish up Group B play.
The quarterfinals start on August 3rd with the Gold medal match set for August 10th.
8-6-24
USA 1, Germany 0
The USWNT made it back to the Gold medal match. After beating Japan in overtime 1-0 they found themselves in yet another nail-biter this time with Germany. The US Women’s team gets a 95th minute goal from Sophia Smith with the assist coming from Mallory Swanson to get a chance at a 5th Gold medal.
This is the first time back in the championship match since 2012 when the US beat Japan 2-1 for their 4th Gold medal most all time. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio the USWNT was stunned in the quarters by Sweden the first and only time they have left an Olympic stadium empty handed. They bounced back at the 2020 Games and took bronze after losing to eventual winner Canada in the Semis.
Now in France the US will either take on defending World Cup Champion Spain or Brazil. They have played Brazil twice before in 04′ and 08′ both of which ended in USA Gold. The Women’s Gold Medal match is Saturday August 1oth at 8am PST.
USA 1, Japan 0
Here is the full story on Trinity Rodman’s Heroics for the USWNT from USsoccer.com
USA 3, Zambia 0
Here is the full story on the win from USsoccer.com
USA 4, Germany 1
For the full story click the link to USsoccer.com
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