.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state women's national team succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a game that required a stout defensive stand in the very first one-half followed by an accurate and estimated rise in the 2nd to deny South america and its legendary leader Marta.It was actually a common finishing to a competition that had been actually a lot concerning what's brand new for the USWNT: A new coach in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of assaulters as well as a brand-new outlook after the dissatisfaction of final summer season's Women's Planet Cup all harmonized with each other to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and also first given that 2012, for the united state women, who certainly never trailed at any factor in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the succeeding objective in the 57th moment with a sleek finish after going through on target, but young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who delivered the ball-- and Sophia Johnson, that wisely escaped coming from the stage show after discovering she remained in an offside placement, were actually the facilitators. As soon as Swanson buckled her try past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise line and Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth target of the tournament, many among the Americans and also matched for second-most among all players in the competitors. Brazil, which had been actually in demand for a lot of activity's early stages, remained to precipitate in search of an equalizer yet could not locate its own way with. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her crew's most beneficial gamer in the first one-half, performed certainly not make it possible for a target in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the same area where the men's groups coming from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a time previously, and also ladies's teams started at a pace that a minimum of mentioned a potential annoying rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal supplied a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was understandable-- the group had actually just defeated France as well as Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- yet still felt unusual. And also Hayes dropped Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup in favor of Albert, a seeming nod to Lavelle's trauma background and the option of additional opportunity. It goes without saying, it was a choice that exercised perfectly.As they carried out in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians showed up pressing. Inside 2 minutes, Ludmila possessed a close-range try conserved by Naeher, an early cautionary tale that seemed like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil maintained coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion line and also virtually attracted a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and also blasted a shot into the web that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and only missed out on Ludmila with a harmful cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, as well. Triad Rodman's enchanting spin at midfield delivered her soaring towards target and Swanson used her speed at the same time to attract an edge but Brazil constantly experienced more hazardous. If not for Naeher-- who provided a magical response save of Portilho in first-half deduction opportunity-- the united state will possess been properly behind at the break.Instead, they were level and also capable to come out with better necessity and verve. Johnson crossed just out of Swanson's range and also Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved large to receive the U.S. crowd back in to it just before Albert found her room. A quick glance, a strong successfully pass and South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and what is counted on to be her last international, started at the hour yet was frequently repressed. 4 moments right into 10 mins of standstill opportunity, Adriana pushed a diving header at objective coming from close range that Naeher-- once again == swatted away.Marta put her hands on her scalp. The United States followers chanted in joy. One year after amazing dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.