.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA women's nationwide team gained the Olympic gold award on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that needed a stout defensive fill in the initial half observed through an exact and calculated rise in the 2nd to deny South america and its own legendary captain Marta.It was a familiar finishing to a competition that had been actually a great deal regarding what is actually new for the USWNT: A brand-new coach in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of enemies and a new expectation after the disappointment of final summer months's Female's Globe Mug all harmonized with each other to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and also initially given that 2012, for the united state ladies, that certainly never trailed at any sort of aspect in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the gaining target in the 57th moment along with a slick finish after going through on goal, yet younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- that supplied the reception-- and Sophia Smith, who wisely broke away coming from the stage show after understanding she was in an offside posture, were the facilitators. When Swanson buckled her chance past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise line and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th objective of the tournament, most among the Americans as well as matched for second-most amongst all gamers in the competition. Brazil, which had been in command for a lot of video game's early stages, remained to precipitate seeking a counterpoise but could not discover its method through. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's most beneficial gamer in the very first half, performed certainly not allow an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually used the same area where the males's groups coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a time previously, as well as women's groups began at a rate that a minimum of meant a potential objectionable rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal supplied a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was easy to understand-- the team had actually just defeated France and also Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- however still really felt odd. And also Hayes went down Flower Lavelle from her lineup in favor of Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's accident past as well as the probability of additional opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a choice that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside two mins, Ludmila had a close-range try saved by Naeher, an early wake-up call that felt like an arrowhead evaded. Unbothered, South america maintained coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and also virtually attracted a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and also blasted a fired into the net that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and simply overlooked Ludmila along with a risky cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had moments, also. Trinity Rodman's wonderful spin at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of objective as well as Swanson utilized her speed too to draw a section yet South america consistently really felt a lot more risky. Otherwise for Naeher-- that delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance time-- the U.S. would certainly have been actually well responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and also capable to find out with better urgency and verve. Smith crossed just out of Swanson's reach as well as Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved large to get the U.S. crowd back into it prior to Albert located her room. A simple look, a spirituous pass and South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually expected to become her ultimate international, started at the hr but was constantly boxed up. 4 moments in to 10 minutes of deduction opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at target from close quarters that Naeher-- again == whacked away.Marta placed her palms on her head. The United States enthusiasts shouted in pleasure. One year after fabulous disappointment, the USWNT was back.