.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA girls's national crew won the Olympic gold award on Saturday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in a game that demanded a stout defensive stand in the 1st half adhered to by an exact as well as estimated rise in the second to refuse South america and its fabulous leader Marta.It was actually a known finishing to an event that had actually been actually so much regarding what's brand-new for the USWNT: A brand-new train in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of aggressors and also a brand-new expectation after the disappointment of final summer months's Women's Planet Cup all meshed with each other to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and also first given that 2012, for the USA ladies, who never ever trailed at any sort of aspect in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning target in the 57th minute along with a glossy end after running through on target, but younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the reception-- and Sophia Johnson, who smartly ran away coming from the play after understanding she remained in an offside position, were actually the facilitators. Once Swanson crinkled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Voyage and Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th objective of the event, most one of the Americans and matched for second-most among all players in the competitors. South america, which had been in demand for much of video game's beginning, continued to precipitate searching for an equalizer however could not find its technique by means of. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's most important gamer in the very first fifty percent, did certainly not make it possible for a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the very same industry where the guys's crews coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a day previously, as well as females's teams started at a speed that at the very least mentioned a possible offensive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective provided a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile using Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a selection which was reasonable-- the team had merely trumped France and Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- yet still experienced strange. And Hayes fell Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's injury background and also the possibility of additional time. Needless to say, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they did in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians showed up pushing. Inside two moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range chance spared by Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that thought that an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and also almost pulled a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma as well as castigated a shot into the internet that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson as well as just overlooked Ludmila with a harmful cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed seconds, as well. Triad Rodman's magical twist at midfield sent her flying towards target and Swanson used her rate also to draw an edge but South america regularly felt much more unsafe. Or even for Naeher-- who provided a wonderful response save of Portilho in first-half deduction opportunity-- the U.S. would have been effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled as well as capable to find out with higher urgency and gusto. Smith crossed just out of Swanson's reach as well as Sam Coffey that skided vast to receive the USA crowd back right into it prior to Albert located her space. A fast look, a stimulating pass and Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually expected to become her final international, began at the hr yet was constantly suppressed. Four minutes into 10 moments of stop time, Adriana drove a diving header at goal coming from close range that Naeher-- once more == whacked away.Marta put her hands on her scalp. The American supporters shouted in merriment. One year after fabulous frustration, the USWNT was back.