.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA girls's national staff succeeded the Olympic gold award on Sunday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in an activity that called for a stout protective fill in the first one-half adhered to through a precise and also calculated rise in the 2nd to refuse Brazil as well as its epic leader Marta.It was a recognizable finishing to a competition that had been so much about what's new for the USWNT: A brand new coach in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of attackers and also a brand new expectation after the disappointment of last summer's Female's World Cup all harmonized with each other to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic name, as well as initially due to the fact that 2012, for the united state females, that certainly never trailed at any sort of factor in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the gaining goal in the 57th min with a slick end after going through on target, yet youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the ball-- and also Sophia Johnson, who intelligently broke away from the stage show after recognizing she remained in an offside placement, were actually the companies. When Swanson curled her go past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's fourth target of the tournament, many one of the Americans and also tied for second-most amongst all players in the competitors. South america, which had actually been in order for a lot of activity's beginning, remained to precipitate in search of an equalizer yet couldn't discover its own means with. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her crew's most useful player in the initial fifty percent, carried out certainly not allow an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was played on the very same area where the guys's crews coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a day earlier, as well as females's teams began at a pace that at least mentioned a potential annoying fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's goal provided a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a selection which was actually understandable-- the staff had merely defeated France and also Spain while she offered a red-card revocation-- yet still experienced odd. As well as Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup in favor of Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's personal injury background and also the opportunity of extra time. Obviously, it was a selection that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians showed up pushing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila had a close-range chance conserved through Naeher, an early cautionary tale that seemed like an arrow evaded. Unbothered, Brazil always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and also virtually attracted a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and castigated a fired in to the internet that was eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as merely missed out on Ludmila with a harmful cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed minutes, as well. Trio Rodman's magical spin at midfield delivered her flying towards objective and Swanson utilized her velocity also to draw a section but South america always really felt even more risky. If not for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful response save of Portilho in first-half halt time-- the USA will have been effectively behind at the break.Instead, they were level and capable ahead out with greater seriousness and verve. Smith moved across just out of Swanson's reach and also Sam Coffey that swerved large to receive the united state group back into it just before Albert located her room. A quick glance, an exciting elapsed and South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and what is actually counted on to be her ultimate global, started at the hour but was frequently repressed. Four minutes into 10 moments of blockage time, Adriana drove a diving header at goal from close range that Naeher-- once more == whacked away.Marta put her palms on her head. The American followers chanted in merriment. One year after extraordinary dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.