.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. girls's national staff won the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in an activity that required a stout protective stand in the very first fifty percent observed through an accurate as well as computed rise in the 2nd to refute South america and also its own famous captain Marta.It was a recognizable finishing to an event that had actually been a lot regarding what's brand-new for the USWNT: A new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of aggressors and also a brand-new expectation after the disappointment of final summertime's Women's Globe Mug all harmonized with each other to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and initially considering that 2012, for the U.S. females, that never tracked at any sort of aspect in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the gaining goal in the 57th minute with a glossy end after running through on objective, yet youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- who provided the reception-- and also Sophia Johnson, that wisely ran away coming from the play after realizing she was in an offside placement, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson buckled her shot past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Trip and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth target of the tournament, many one of the Americans and also tied for second-most among all players in the competitors. Brazil, which had been actually in order for much of video game's early stages, remained to precipitate trying to find an equalizer but couldn't discover its means via. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her team's very most useful gamer in the 1st half, performed not permit a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually used the very same industry where the men's groups coming from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their ultimate a time previously, and also women's teams began at a speed that at least mentioned a possible repulsive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective supplied a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a choice which was actually understandable-- the group had only defeated France and also Spain while she offered a red-card revocation-- however still really felt weird. And Hayes went down Flower Lavelle coming from her schedule for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's personal injury past history and the option of added time. It goes without saying, it was actually a selection that exercised perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila possessed a close-range go conserved by Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that felt like an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america maintained coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and almost pulled a penalty from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma as well as blasted a shot right into the web that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson as well as merely missed Ludmila with a risky cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed seconds, also. Triad Rodman's wonderful spin at midfield sent her soaring in the direction of objective as well as Swanson used her speed at the same time to draw a corner yet South america constantly felt extra hazardous. If not for Naeher-- that delivered a magical response save of Portilho in first-half stoppage time-- the U.S. would certainly have been actually well responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level as well as capable to find out along with greater seriousness and gusto. Johnson went across just out of Swanson's grasp and Sam Coffey had a crack that skided vast to acquire the U.S. crowd back in to it prior to Albert discovered her area. A quick look, a heady pass and South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually counted on to be her ultimate worldwide, came on at the hr yet was continuously bottled up. Four moments into 10 mins of discontinuance time, Adriana pressed a diving header at goal from close quarters that Naeher-- once more == knocked away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The United States enthusiasts chanted in merriment. One year after extraordinary disappointment, the USWNT was back.