.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. females's national team gained the Olympic gold award on Saturday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a game that called for a stout protective fill in the initial fifty percent observed through a specific and computed rise in the 2nd to refute South america as well as its epic leader Marta.It was actually a familiar finishing to an event that had actually been actually a great deal about what's brand-new for the USWNT: A brand new trainer in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of aggressors and a brand-new overview after the dissatisfaction of last summertime's Female's Globe Mug all meshed together to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic name, as well as to begin with given that 2012, for the USA women, that certainly never trailed at any kind of factor in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal in the 57th minute along with a glossy end after running through on objective, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the reception-- as well as Sophia Smith, that smartly fled coming from the play after understanding she was in an offside position, were actually the companies. The moment Swanson buckled her chance past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise line and Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth target of the competition, many amongst the Americans and also tied for second-most among all players in the competitors. Brazil, which had actually been in demand for much of game's early stages, continued to precipitate searching for a counterpoise however could not find its method by means of. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her staff's most valuable player in the first one-half, carried out not enable an objective in the knockout rounds.The match was actually played on the exact same area where the men's teams coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their last a day previously, as well as females's staffs started at a rate that at the very least meant a possible annoying rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective delivered a 5th gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was actually reasonable-- the team had merely beaten France and also Spain while she served a red-card revocation-- but still really felt peculiar. As well as Hayes went down Rose Lavelle from her lineup for Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's personal injury past as well as the probability of extra opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a selection that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pressing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila had a close-range shot conserved by Naeher, an early wake-up call that felt like an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and virtually attracted a charge coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and also blasted a fired right into the internet that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and also only missed Ludmila along with an unsafe cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had instants, also. Trio Rodman's magical spin at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of goal as well as Swanson utilized her rate as well to pull a section yet Brazil always experienced a lot more unsafe. If not for Naeher-- that provided a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half deduction time-- the USA would possess been properly behind at the break.Instead, they were level and also capable to come out with higher necessity and vigor. Johnson moved across just out of Swanson's scope and Sam Coffey that skided broad to obtain the USA crowd back into it prior to Albert discovered her area. An easy look, a powerful pass and also South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics as well as what is actually expected to become her final international, began at the hour however was frequently boxed up. 4 moments right into 10 minutes of interruption opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at objective from close range that Naeher-- once more == knocked away.Marta put her palms on her head. The American followers chanted in glee. One year after amazing disappointment, the USWNT was actually back.