The United States Women's National Soccer Team won their first Olympic title in 12 years Saturday (Aug 10), defeating Brazil 1-0 in the gold medal match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Forward Mallory Swanson made the difference for Team USA, taking a long pass from Korbin Albert and beating Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena in the 57th minute for the first and only goal of the match.
Brazil was unquestionably the better team throughout the first half and ultimately won the possession battle 57 percent to 43 percent, but the Americans weathered the storm and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a couple of huge stops.
Naeher also saved team USA's bacon in stoppage time, turning away a header at close quarters that could have tied things up.
In the end, USA won its first Olympic gold medal since 2012 and its fifth gold medal overall, solidifying it as the most decorated country in the history of Olympic women's soccer.
When it comes to major international tournaments, the U.S. ended a five-year title drought Saturday, as it had not won a top-flight event since the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Since then, the United States has gone from the unquestioned world power in women's soccer to a somewhat inconsistent program.
The Americans were ranked fifth in the world entering the Olympics, but with two wins over No. 4 Germany and a victory over No. 10 Brazil to clinch the gold medal, that figures to change.
After team USA crashed out in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup, head coach Vlatko Andonovski stepped down, and that proved to be the start of a new and exciting era for the US women's team.
