.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA women's national team gained the Olympic gold award on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in an activity that demanded a stout protective stand in the very first one-half followed by a specific and also estimated surge in the 2nd to refuse South america and its own famous captain Marta.It was a recognizable finishing to an event that had actually been actually so much concerning what's brand-new for the USWNT: A brand new train in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of enemies and a brand-new outlook after the disappointment of last summer's Women's World Mug all harmonized all together to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and also first given that 2012, for the USA girls, who certainly never routed at any sort of factor in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the gaining target in the 57th minute along with a sleek finish after running through on objective, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the ball-- and also Sophia Johnson, who intelligently escaped coming from the stage show after realizing she resided in an offside placement, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson buckled her chance past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth goal of the tournament, many one of the Americans and tied for second-most among all gamers in the competitors. South america, which had been in command for a lot of game's onset, remained to precipitate looking for a counterpoise yet could not discover its own technique through. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's very most valuable gamer in the first half, performed certainly not enable an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was used the very same industry where the guys's groups from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their final a day earlier, and also girls's teams began at a speed that a minimum of mentioned a prospective objectionable rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's target provided a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was actually understandable-- the team had actually merely defeated France and also Spain while she provided a red-card revocation-- but still really felt odd. As well as Hayes went down Flower Lavelle coming from her schedule for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's trauma past as well as the opportunity of additional time. Obviously, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pushing. Inside 2 moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range go spared by Naeher, an early wake-up call that believed that an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, South america always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe and almost drew a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma as well as whipped a shot into the internet that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and also simply overlooked Ludmila along with an unsafe cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed seconds, as well. Trio Rodman's magical twist at midfield sent her flying towards objective and Swanson utilized her rate also to attract a corner however Brazil always really felt more dangerous. Otherwise for Naeher-- who provided a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half stoppage opportunity-- the U.S. will have been properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and also able to come out along with higher necessity and also gusto. Johnson went across just out of Swanson's scope as well as Sam Coffey had a crack that skided wide to obtain the USA crowd back into it prior to Albert located her room. A simple glance, an exciting pass as well as Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics as well as what is counted on to be her ultimate global, started at the hr but was actually consistently repressed. 4 mins right into 10 minutes of interruption time, Adriana pressed a diving header at objective coming from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == knocked away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The American supporters chanted in glee. One year after fabulous frustration, the USWNT was actually back.