The United States women’s national football team, under the guidance of new coach Emma Hayes, is determined to reclaim its position as the leading force in women’s international football by winning the gold medal in Saturday’s Olympic final against Brazil.
After a disappointing performance at last year’s World Cup and subpar showings at the last two Olympics, the USA team has been revitalized with a rejuvenated squad and a point to prove.
The arrival of renowned English coach Hayes from Chelsea has given the team the boost it needed, and the exciting attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman has inspired the team on its way to the final.
The USA is seeking to add to its record haul of four gold medals and win the title for the first time since London 2012. Standing in their way is Brazil, who is attempting to make it third time lucky after losing to the USA in the finals of Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Brazilian legend Marta, 38, is appearing at her sixth and likely last Olympics and is hoping to sign off with a gold medal.
The stage is set for an exciting showdown between two of the world’s top teams.
Alex Ogbonnaya
United States female football team under new coach Emma Hayes are hoping to establish themselves as the leading force in women’s international football once again by claiming the gold medal in Saturday’s Olympic final against Brazil
The USA came into the Olympics with a rejuvenated squad and a point to prove after a poor showing at last year’s World Cup when they were eliminated in the last 16.
They also performed below par at each of the last two Olympics, finishing out of the medals at Rio 2016 before taking bronze three years ago in Tokyo.
But the arrival of renowned English coach Hayes from Chelsea has given the USA the boost they needed, and they have been inspired on their way to the final by the exciting attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman.
They have each scored three goals at the tournament, with the USA winning all three group games against Zambia, Germany and Australia before dispatching both Japan and the Germans in extra time in the knockout rounds.
Now they are hoping to add to their women’s football record haul of four golds and win the title for the first time since London 2012.
The USA’s position as the undisputed global powerhouse of the women’s game looked to be gone for some time following last year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when a brilliant Spain team led by Aitana Bonmati were crowned champions.
However, Spain missed out in their bid to add Olympic gold to that title and the UEFA Nations League after they were surprisingly beaten 4-2 by Brazil in Tuesday’s semi-final in Marseille.
Instead, it is the Brazilians who will meet the USA in the gold medal match and they will be attempting to make it third time lucky after losing to the same opponents in the Athens final in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008.
The USA won both of those finals in extra time, and both featured Marta, the Brazilian legend and multiple winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Now 38, she is appearing at her sixth and likely last Olympics and is hoping to sign off with a Gold medal
