.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state ladies's national group gained the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in an activity that needed a stout protective stand in the very first one-half complied with through an accurate and also estimated surge in the 2nd to deny Brazil and also its own epic captain Marta.It was a known ending to a competition that had been a lot regarding what's new for the USWNT: A brand new trainer in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of opponents as well as a brand-new overview after the disappointment of final summer months's Women's World Mug all harmonized all together to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and to begin with because 2012, for the USA ladies, who never tracked at any aspect in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning goal in the 57th minute with a slick finish after going through on goal, but younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- that supplied the ball-- as well as Sophia Johnson, who smartly fled from the play after understanding she was in an offside posture, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson crinkled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise ship and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's 4th target of the event, most among the Americans and also matched for second-most among all gamers in the competitors. Brazil, which had actually been actually in order for a lot of game's beginning, continued to precipitate trying to find a counterpoise yet could not discover its method by means of. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her crew's most valuable gamer in the first fifty percent, carried out certainly not make it possible for a target in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the same industry where the males's crews coming from Spain as well as France played out an eight-goal classic in their final a day earlier, and also girls's staffs started at a pace that at the very least meant a possible annoying rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective provided a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was actually easy to understand-- the team had actually just beaten France as well as Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- but still really felt peculiar. And Hayes went down Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's trauma background and also the option of additional opportunity. Needless to say, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians visited pressing. Inside two mins, Ludmila possessed a close-range shot conserved by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that thought that an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe as well as almost drew a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as castigated a shot into the internet that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and simply missed Ludmila along with a risky cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed moments, too. Trinity Rodman's enchanting spin at midfield sent her flying in the direction of objective as well as Swanson utilized her rate also to attract a section however South america consistently really felt extra unsafe. Otherwise for Naeher-- who provided a wonderful response save of Portilho in first-half halt opportunity-- the U.S. would possess been actually effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level as well as capable ahead out along with greater necessity and also gusto. Smith went across just out of Swanson's grasp and also Sam Coffey that skided wide to receive the U.S. group back right into it before Albert discovered her space. A quick look, a heady pass and Brazil was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics as well as what is expected to be her final global, began at the hour however was actually consistently repressed. Four moments into 10 moments of halt time, Adriana drove a diving header at target from close range that Naeher-- once more == whacked away.Marta put her hands on her head. The United States enthusiasts chanted in joy. One year after fabulous dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.