The United States women’s national team has once again proven to be the benchmark in women’s soccer.
The USWNT claimed the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, with Mallory Swanson netting the decisive goal in a thrilling 1-0 victory against Brazil in the women’s soccer final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Following a 12-year period without a gold medal, which may seem brief in the context of other nations, the U.S. had previously dominated the sport by winning four out of the first five gold medals since women’s soccer was introduced in the 1996 Games. This history heightened expectations for this year’s team, particularly after recent disappointments, including failing to medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, securing bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, and exiting in the round of 16 during last summer’s World Cup.
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New head coach Emma Hayes, along with a dynamic roster filled with young players eager to achieve Olympic success, arrived in Paris with the chance to pursue gold without the weight of heavy expectations.
The USWNT returned to the top of the podium after completing an undefeated run in the Olympics. “I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position,” said Hayes, a native of London. “I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who pushed me to this point to be able to come and coach an unbelievable group of players that have received me so well and taken on board everything I have asked. They are tremendous people and players and role models. Yeah, I love them.”
Swanson was instrumental in their success, scoring the winning goal in the 57th minute after receiving a pass from Korbin Albert and firing it into the net. While Brazil controlled possession during the first half, they struggled to maintain pressure in the second half. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a crucial one-handed save against a header from Adriana in added time, further solidifying their lead.
The celebration erupted soon after, highlighted by Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” playing throughout the stadium, marking the USWNT’s fifth gold medal victory.
“We’ve grown so much,” said Swanson, who made her 100th appearance for the national team. “And that’s really cool to me seeing that. We’ve grown on and off the field. And you keep probably hearing it — we’re playing with joy. We’re having so much fun and I’m just so happy.”
Brazil, seeking its first Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer after previous final defeats to the U.S. in 2004 and 2008, faced a poignant moment as legendary player Marta, their 38-year-old captain who participated in each of those losses, played her final Olympic match, having announced her retirement from international football at the end of 2024.