The USWNT Redeem Team Takes Olympic Gold
The USWNT proves once again that you can never count them out, winning the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics just 10 games into Emma Hayes’ tenure as manager.
It’s been just over two weeks since we watched the USWNT win Gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and we’re still sobbing uncontrollably. We entered this tournament fresh off an alarming 0-0 tie to Costa Rica, anxiously hoping we’d see signs of progress (and some goals!) under brand spanking new management, and still licking our wounds following the deeply disappointing 2023 World Cup.
We were braced to accept disappointing results this tournament in favor of a better team in the future, and what we got instead was a freaking gold medal! We met Triple Espresso! We witnessed Girma domination! We saw the USWNT play with so much joy that even Alyssa Naeher was giving out hugs!
The tournament was an unexpected embarrassment of riches for USWNT fans and, after a brief hiatus to catch up on our real lives (yes, we have those…), we’re back to relive the glory of the Gold medal game.
Gold Medal Recap: We did it, Joe!
USA 1, Brazil 0
Mallory Swanson (Korbin Albert) 57’
An average of 9 million viewers across NBC and Peacock (the most since the ‘04 Athens Olympics!) tuned in to watch the USA and Brazil play their third gold-medal matchup in an Olympics. The game was a tale of two halves with Brazil’s attack, led by the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars new signing Ludmila, looking scary as hell in the first period. The speedy forward put one past Naeher, in fact (and humanizing Girma for the first time all tournament in the process), but we were grateful to see the goal chalked offside. The USWNT looked lethargic to start, but regrouped and found much-needed momentum in the second half. About 10 minutes in, our savior Mallory Swanson did what she’d done all tournament long and came up big, scoring the game winner with a finish as calm as if she was having a kickaround in the park. Meanwhile, Alyssa Naeher (who but!) locked it down in the back with a handful of massive cat-like reaction saves to preserve the clean sheet and secure the gold.
Game Highlights
Trin’s Gold Medal Spin
Trinity Rodman having the audacity to go for her signature Trin Spin in the gold medal game is one of the many signs that this team is feeling themselves, due in large part to the support of their new manager. We love to see it!
Mal’s Big Moment
The script writers weren’t messing around when Mallory Swanson scored the gold-medal game winner in her 100th cap, 489 days after she was carted off with a torn patella tendon just before the 2023 World Cup. Swanson’s championship game winner completed the Triple Espresso knockout stage masterclass, following Rodman’s game winner against Japan and Smith’s against Germany. Witnessing these three powerhouses maximizing their joint slay is a true feast for the senses and the soul!
Alyssa’s Slam Dunk Save
Alyssa Naeher’s superhuman save in stoppage time kept the game from going into extra time, and secured her fourth shutout of the tournament. With that clean sheet, she passed Hope Solo for the most in an Olympics by a USWNT goalkeeper. Naeher has dealt with doubters ever since she took the starting spot from Solo, but showed once again why she’s the number one in net, and making a strong case for being the greatest USWNT keeper of all time.
Emma’s Championship Look
Emma Hayes’ fancy hair twist and blazer fit meant business. We love that she spruced up her look for the final, and demand GRWM videos for future games.
Supportive Legends
Mia Hamm, Megan Rapinoe, Allie Krieger, and Tobin Heath were among a large group of USWNT legends in the house for the gold-medal game. The latter three were perfectly memed as “Gay Aunts cheering on their three straight nieces”.
Post-Game Feels
Emma Hayes’ Emotional Post-Game Interviews
There was no hiding what this gold medal meant to USWNT manager Emma Hayes in her emotional post-game interviews. As Hayes has said multiple times since her appointment, when women in soccer weren’t taken seriously in England, the USA gave her a place to pursue her dream of coaching. Serving as the USWNT manager was her dream job, and one she promised her father she’d take before he passed.
Girma’s Last Sprint
Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher—the only two USWNT players to play all 600 minutes of the tournament—embracing after the final whistle blew gave us all the feels. These two went through it together this tournament, and, as Girma said, “My last sprint goes to Alyssa.”
Marta is the GOAT
USWNT rookie Croix Bethune asked Marta for a picture after the game, reminding us of the impact Marta has had on women’s soccer for generations and will continue to have even after her international career has drawn to a close.
Representation Matters
This photo shared by former USWNT player Sydney Leroux of the nine Black players on the USWNT this tournament represents the critical strides that have been made to diversify women’s soccer and provide playing opportunities to girls of color around the country. Leroux was one of just three Black players on the 22-player roster when the USWNT last won an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
The USWNT by the Numbers
This gold medal came just 10 games and 72 days into the Emma Hayes Era.
Alyssa Naeher’s shutout was her fourth of the tournament, and put her passed Hope Solo for the most in an Olympics by a USWNT goalkeeper.
The USWNT became the first team to ever go through the knockout stage of a women's Olympic tournament without conceding a single goal.
The USWNT has never, in the history of women’s soccer, not followed a World Cup loss with an Olympic gold medal.
Naomi Girma was the only US field player to play every minute (600!) of the tournament. Doing so at center back and only allowing 2 goals was a USWNT Olympic record.
The last time the USWNT won gold, there wasn’t a women’s professional league in the US! The WPS folded in January 2012 and the NWSL didn’t begin play until 2013.
The USWNT trailed for ZERO minutes this tournament.
That’s All, Folks! (For Now!)
We want to say a quick thank you to you, our readers! To the generous souls who pledged money to support the spread of our freaky fandom! To Randy Beach and Jen Kaylin who called to talk about each article! To Kim Villa who sent post game texts excitedly anticipating our Emma Hayes’ fashion analysis!
We had too much fun sharing our love of the beautiful game with you all this tournament and hope you stick around as we continue to share more!
The 2024 Paris Olympics might be over, but our Soccer Freaks journey has only just begun.
Your expert analysis and joyous enthusiasm have made for fun reading! ESPN should sign you up!