.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. ladies's nationwide crew succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a video game that required a stout protective stand in the initial one-half observed by a precise as well as calculated rise in the second to reject South america and its epic captain Marta.It was a known finishing to an event that had actually been a lot about what is actually brand new for the USWNT: A brand-new coach in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of assaulters and also a brand new expectation after the frustration of final summertime's Female's World Cup all meshed together to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic name, as well as to begin with because 2012, for the U.S. ladies, who never routed at any point in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning goal in the 57th minute along with a slick finish after going through on goal, but younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- that provided the reception-- as well as Sophia Johnson, that wisely ran away from the stage show after understanding she remained in an offside placement, were the facilitators. As soon as Swanson curled her go past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Trip and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the competition, many one of the Americans and also tied for second-most among all players in the competitors. South america, which had been in order for much of activity's beginning, remained to push forward trying to find a counterpoise however couldn't discover its way by means of. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's most beneficial gamer in the first half, performed certainly not allow a target in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the same area where the guys's staffs from Spain as well as France played out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a time previously, and also ladies's teams began at a speed that at the very least meant a prospective offending rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a choice which was actually understandable-- the group had actually simply defeated France and Spain while she offered a red-card revocation-- but still really felt strange. And Hayes went down Rose Lavelle from her schedule for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's trauma past and also the possibility of additional opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a decision that exercised perfectly.As they did in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila possessed a close-range try saved through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that believed that an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe and nearly pulled a fine coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma and also blasted a shot right into the net that was dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also merely missed out on Ludmila with an unsafe cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had instants, as well. Trio Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield sent her soaring in the direction of target as well as Swanson utilized her velocity also to attract a section however Brazil consistently really felt much more hazardous. If not for Naeher-- who provided a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half halt time-- the U.S. would certainly possess been effectively behind at the break.Instead, they were level as well as capable to come out with higher urgency and sparkle. Johnson crossed just out of Swanson's grasp and also Sam Coffey that skided wide to get the USA crowd back right into it before Albert located her room. A simple glance, a strong pass and Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually expected to become her last global, came on at the hr but was continuously shut in. 4 moments right into 10 moments of stoppage time, Adriana pushed a diving header at goal from close range that Naeher-- again == knocked away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The United States fans shouted in pleasure. One year after amazing dissatisfaction, the USWNT was actually back.