"I've always had belief. I've said before, winning is in my DNA," Hayes said after the game. "... They've impressed me immensely, these players."
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher ’s one-handed save on a header by Adriana in the fourth minute of stoppage time saved the day. And she was unflappable all match.
Mallory Swanson scored four goals during these Olympics Games. Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Brazil came out as the aggressor and the U.S. relied on Naeher to quell the attack. The final stat sheet said she made four saves. It felt like 14, and every one was huge – none more than her stop in stoppage time of the first half on Gabi Portihlo kept the match scoreless. Defender Naomi Girma continued to be something of a brick wall on the backline.
Although the first half ended with them on their heels, the Americans flipped the script early in the second. They fended off Brazil’s desperation the rest of the way and when the referee blew the final whistle, arms went up, hugs were given, and the celebration was on for the Olympic champions.
"I think this group really just came together from the beginning of our pregame to know, we’ve grown so much," Swanson said after. "That’s really cool to me, seeing that on and off the field. I think most importantly, you’re probably hearing it, we’re playing with joy. We’re having so much fun. I’m just so happy."
"I didn’t think I was gonna cry," Rodman said, "But, oh my gosh, that was the hardest, most exhausting experience of my life, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I think honestly, my legs were crying more than my eyes, but it was so amazing. To be able to hug all my teammates, I’m so happy for Mal. Her alone made me cry to see what she’s been through to be here. I was emotional for others as well as myself, but it was just everything. I’m so happy."
U.S. players dogpiled each other as "Born in the USA" played, followed by "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Surfin' USA." The Americans then shook hands with the Brazilians and circled up near midfield, where Naeher and Hayes, whose sense of humor and demanding style has already built trust with the team, spoke to them.
"It’s a dream come true and the best feeling ever," Smith said. "A relief."
Emma Hayes may not call herself a miracle worker, but it’s hard to think of a better description.
By winning the Olympic gold medal Saturday – its fifth, for those keeping track – the U.S. women’s national team sent a message to the rest of the world that last summer’s World Cup debacle, and the sluggishness at the Tokyo Games, were aberrations. There is still work to be done, to quote one of Hayes’ favorite mantras, but they are very much back on the right track.
And Hayes has officially been on the job for just three months. Give her another three years, which is when the next World Cup is, and the USWNT is likely again to be the standard by which the rest of the world is measured.
Trinity Rodman: "I think joy and belief’s the two biggest words for us. We’ve been having so much fun. But I think we still push each other really hard. I think there’s a misconception of, oh they laugh and dance all the time in training, they’re not serious, but we just proved to everyone that we are and we take this very serious."
Mallory Swanson: "I don’t think I’ve processed it yet. It’ll probably hit in a couple days when I’m on my flight back home what happened. I’m just so thankful that I was able to do it with this group."
Sophia Smith: "It’s a dream come true and the best feeling ever. A relief."
Welcome to the Summer of Mal. Mallory Swanson gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute on a signature run down the left side. Korbin Albert, starting in place of Rose Lavelle, delivered the through ball for either Sophia Smith or Swanson. Smith would have likely been ruled offside if she touched it. But Swanson swooped in and made a beeline for the net, and her right-footed blast beat Brazil’s keeper Lorena to break the scoreless tie.
If it's an Olympics, you can find the U.S. women's national team on the medals podium. The Americans have won five golds at the Olympics (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2024), more than any other team, and also have a silver from Sydney in 2000 and a bronze from Tokyo. Do the math, and that means the USWNT has won a medal at every Olympics except 2016. Oh, and another fun fact? Three of the USWNT's golds have come after playing Brazil in the final in both 2004 and 2008.
USWNT Olympic wins
The USWNT is 33-7-4 all-time at the Olympics, including four gold medals, won in 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2024.
Emma Hayes calls Naomi Girma the best defender she's ever seen
For the U.S., the first half of both the quarterfinals and semifinals were scoreless (and all of regulation, for that matter). The final against Brazil was no exception.
Both teams had their fair share of scoring chances – Brazil’s more consistent compared to the Americans – but neither side had anything to show for it.
Brazil’s Ludmila has been a handful for the U.S. back line to deal with. It looked like she put Brazil up in the 16th minute when she beat Naomi Girma off the dribble in the box, but luckily for the U.S., the offside flag went up. Alyssa Naeher came up huge during stoppage time to save a Gabi Porthilo strike.
Mallory Swanson had the United States’ best chance of scoring on a long, speedy run with the ball.
The match has been physical despite referee Tess Olofsson’s willingness to let play continue. Brazil was whistled for nine fouls compared to seven for the U.S. Possession had been nearly even for most of the match, but Brazil largely dominated the end of the half and ended up controlling the ball 54% of the time.
Trinity Rodman scored three goals throughout this Olympic tournament. Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Mallory Swanson’s speed almost leads to goal
Mallory Swanson turned on the burners – and it almost led to the match’s first goal. Tierna Davidson cleared the ball from the U.S. defensive zone and Swanson found herself one-on-one with a Brazilian defender. Swanson took a couple of huge touches to win the footrace down the field and record a shot on net in the 26th minute – but it wasn’t the best angle. The subsequent U.S. rebound effort also came up empty.
VAR review – no penalty
Speaking of physicality – there has been plenty more where that came from. Referee Tess Olofsson called for a VAR review in the 21st minute that would have led to a penalty shot from Brazil. The review revealed no foul on the U.S. in the box, however.
What looked like an early deficit for the Americans turned out to be offsides by Brazil. The flag went on Ludmila, who beat Naomi Girma off the dribble in the box and fired one past Naeher. Amid the cries of celebration for the Brazil fans in the stands, the referee’s arm went in the air and the side judge on the far end of the field had the flag up.
The play has been physical and referee Tess Olofsson has been mostly keeping the whistle in the pocket. Lindsey Horan had a strong tackle near midfield in which she extended her arms but play went on, even as the U.S. won the ball back. Then Mallory Swanson went down after contact at the top of the box, but again, Olofsson let play continue.
There's a big surprise in the USWNT lineup for the Olympic final against Brazil: No Rose Lavelle in the starting lineup. Lavelle has started each of the previous five games in the tournament. But she was replaced in the lineup by Korbin Albert. Lavelle is not injured, and is available as a sub. The rest of the lineup remains unchanged:
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson, Naomi Girma, Emily Fox
Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey
This game will be the 100th appearance for Swanson, who has fully recovered from a devastating knee injury last year. Available subs: Casey Krueger, Lynn Williams, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett, Jaedyn Shaw, Rose Lavelle, Casey Murphy.
Even though she's retired, Megan Rapinoe still has influence with the USWNT.
Trinity Rodman has been wearing pink braids throughout the Olympic tournament. Rapinoe, of course, was famous for her vibrant pink hair during the 2019 World Cup, which also was played in France. The USWNT won that World Cup that year, with Rapinoe picking up both the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player and the Golden Boot as its top scorer.
"I guess we needed some color somewhere and pink's the color," Rodman said Thursday. "Pink, purple, whatever. So yeah, I guess we've got to continue that moving forward."
Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; United States forward Trinity Rodman (5) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Parc des Princes. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports Yukihito Taguchi, Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Part of the reason the Americans feel like they have been able to be themselves? Emma Hayes’ sense of humor. She’s been called “hilarious,” her one-liners and zingers frequent. She is demanding, to be sure, but her ability to crack jokes puts her players at ease.
"I think the one thing I love most about Emma is that she has the perfect balance of being serious but then you also see her goofy side too," Mallory Swanson said . "I think seeing that side of a coach helps a lot because we’re all human and she does such a good job of showing that."
The road for Brazil to reach this point has been … interesting. Marta , the legend, took a red card in Brazil’s final match of group play and served a two-match suspension. The only way she could have returned to this tournament – said to be her last on the international stage – was if her teammates found a way to reach the gold-medal match. They did, and Marta will have at least one final moment in front of the globe.
Spirit won’t be enough for the Brazilians against the U.S. though. The American back line, led by Naomi Girma , is stout. Alyssa Naeher has been solid in net. Although the U.S. has not flexed the offensive firepower in France, it has at least scored enough to reward the defense. Take your pick of The Triple Threat, The Big Three, “Triple Espresso” – whatever your preference is for the trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith – to find the back of the net.
Marta , the Brazilian great, is playing her final international match today, when Brazil faces the U.S. It’s the fourth time in her career Marta has made the final at a major tournament, and third at the Olympics . The Brazilians lost to the USWNT in 2004 and 2008. They also lost to Germany at the 2007 World Cup.
“We all wanted to play the final at the Olympics regardless of the circumstances. But of course this is an extra motivation,” Angelina said Friday. “We want to give this medal to Marta. She has given us so much throughout her career. She’s given everything she has to us and women’s football. She really deserves to play in the final.”
USWNT vs. Brazil Olympic history
The USWNT and Brazil have some history at the Olympics. The teams faced each other in the final in both 2004 and 2008, with the USWNT winning each time. Although no one from those USWNT teams is left, Brazilian icon Marta played in both games. Brazil scored one goal in those two games, by Pretinha in 2004.
"What happened in the past is far away," Brazil coach Arthus Elias said Friday. "Football deserves great games and we should stop whining and talking about the past. We have new ingredients, new things to talk about rather than be thinking about the past.
"I’m not worried at all about what happened in the past," Elias added. "I feel we are close to our dream coming true and that our players will do their very best tomorrow.”
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