Why the women’s soccer Olympic gold-medal match means so much for the sport

Few have done more for women’s soccer than Marta Vieira da Silva.

The two-time Olympic silver medalist and six-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year progressed the sport forward by dominating on the international stage for Brazil. With a career marked by individual excellence, she’ll have an opportunity Saturday to finally capture a major tournament championship.

The 38-year-old announced that she would retire from international soccer following the 2024 Olympic Games. After serving a two-game suspension for a red card in the last group stage game, her last match in a Brazil shirt comes against the United States with a gold medal on the line.

American forward Trinity Rodman acknowledged Marta’s impact on the sport while reassuring the media that the United States is focused on returning to the top of the global stage.

A large reason why many international greats like Marta haven’t won a major tournament is because of the dominance of the United States women’s national team, winners of four FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympic gold medals.

While adversaries on the field, both sides worked toward a common goal the past two decades. The privilege and platform of the United States amplified voices like Marta as they fought for pay and resource equity in the sport.

When Brazil was knocked out the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Marta famously gave one of the most passionate post-match interviews about the state of the sport and what was required to continue moving forward.

The United States went on to win that World Cup and, consequentially, equal pay, setting in motion similar progress in other nations’ federations. While the sport still has a ways to go to achieve true equity, the global parity seen today is not possible without the Americans and Marta being brave enough to fight for what they deserve.

Off the back of two straight major tournament knockouts, some categorized this as a down period for the USWNT. A more accurate analysis is that the rest of the world has gotten better, making play more competitive.

That is thanks to the USWNT and Marta. Their courage and passion pushed the sport as it pushed back until boundaries were broken.

It would be poetic for arguably the greatest ever to end her international career with an Olympic gold medal. However, it would also feel right for the United States to reclaim its throne.

The ending of this chapter in women’s soccer history is to be determined Saturday at 11 a.m. EST.