The USWNT won the gold medal match for women’s soccer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final on Aug. 10. This win is the team’s record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal, and it comes a year after the team’s earliest FIFA Women’s World Cup exit in 2023.
Brazil created more chances in the first half, testing the U.S. defense and coming close to scoring. Forward Mallory Swanson scored the game’s only goal in the 57th minute, finding midfielder Korbin Albert’s through ball and slotting it past Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena into the bottom corner. The USWNT held on for the rest of the game to secure the 1-0 win.
The USWNT won all 6 games during the tournament, only the second time the team has done so in the Olympics. The gold medal also restored the team’s No. 1 FIFA world ranking on Aug. 16, cementing the USWNT’s quick return to the height of international sport.
New Direction Under Hayes
After lackluster years under former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski, the team needed a new direction, which came in the appointment of Emma Hayes as the new head coach.
Hayes made big calls going into the tournament, opting to leave star forward Alex Morgan off the roster and naming the team’s youngest roster since 2008. But over the course of the tournament, Hayes gave this young team plenty of experience, pushing them to perform every game.
Even with a congested 16-day tournament, Hayes made few lineup changes between games. Pundits and fans feared this would increase the team’s fatigue, but through the 120-minute extra time wins over Japan and Germany leading up to the final, Hayes said she wanted her young team to “suffer” and build chemistry.
This risk paid off, as the team fought past a difficult opponent in Brazil in the final to claim the gold medal. Hayes’ first trophy comes only 84 days after her final game at Chelsea and 10th game with the USWNT. Players also expressed they are playing with “joy” for the national team under Hayes.
Defensive Stability
Defender Naomi Girma was a standout at the 2023 World Cup while many other players struggled. She continued to standout at the Olympics, leading a defense that only let in two goals the entire tournament.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher also played a pivotal role in the gold medal win. She stopped a chance in the final moments of the Germany game to send the U.S. to the final. Naeher also denied Brazilian forward Adriana a goal in the 94th minute of the final with a strong palm save to keep the game at 1-1.
With defenders Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger emerging as the team’s future outside backs and Crystal Dunn still performing at a high level, the team has solid defense options for the next few years.
Emerging Attack
Forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Swanson stole the headlines in Paris, scoring 10 of the USWNT’s 12 goals at the tournament. At the ages of 22, 24, and 26 respectively, the three forwards could be the team’s starting lineup for years to come.
Even with the talented front three, Hayes will have more young talent to mold in the coming years leading up to the 2027 World Cup. Nineteen-year-old forward Jaedyn Shaw and 23-year-old midfielder Croix Bethune both made the roster, and 24-year-old midfielder Catarina Macario, who has struggled with injuries the past two years, is yet to show her potential for the USWNT.
With exciting attacking options, Hayes will have plenty of young talent to train and work with as the USWNT embarks on a new era.
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