Sophia Smith (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring the deciding goal against Germany in the semifinals on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at Lyon Stadium in Decines, France. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
It all comes down to this. After a grueling stretch of five games in 13 days, the United States women’s national team faces Brazil for the gold medal. If they win, it would be their first since the 2012 London Games, which capped off a streak of three straight golds. Since then, the USWNT won bronze in Tokyo and did not medal in 2016. The USWNT is coming off two straight matches that went into extra time.
The United States is led by the “trident,” AKA Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, who fittingly each have three goals in this tournament. The team has also been rejuvenated by new coach Emma Hayes, whose sometimes unconventional tactics seem to be resonating with the group.
Saturday’s match will also see the return of Brazilian soccer icon Marta, who was suspended for the last two games after receiving a straight red during the group stage. This is the final international tournament for Marta, who is retiring this year, and her last chance to win her first major international title with Brazil. Marta has two Olympic silver medals from the 2004 and 2008 games, and will be trying to earn her first gold…but the U.S. isn’t just going to let her take it.
How to watch Olympic gold medal game: United States vs. Brazil
Date: Saturday, August 10
Time: 11 a.m. ET | 8 a.m. PT
Location: Stade de France | Saint-Denis, France
Channel: NBC, Telemundo
Streaming: NBCOlympics.com, Peacock, Fubo
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the United States takes on Brazil in the gold medal match on Saturday.
Live8 updates
Brazil gets in a few early shots, including a dangerous one that Naeher is able to get her hands on. Brazil is coming out hot out of the gate.
USWNT kicks off gold medal match against Brazil
And we’re off! The U.S. will vie for its first Olympic gold medal since 2012, but will have to get through a very strong Brazilian team first.
Some Olympics context for today’s matchup: The USWNT has won four gold medals at the Olympics, but haven’t won gold since 2012. The team exited in the quarterfinals in 2016 and settled for a bronze last Olympics in Tokyo.
Brazil, meanwhile, has only won two medals at the Olympics, with two silver medals in 2004 and 2008.
Two of the heroes of the semifinal against Germany — defender Naomi Girma and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher — look focused and ready ahead of the match.
Compared to past years and past tournament, this is a young U.S. team and a relatively inexperienced one. Only two of the American starters — Alyssa Naeher and Crystal Dunn — have played in a major tournament final before, with both playing in the 2019 World Cup final.
2 – Only two #USWNT starters (Alyssa Naeher, Crystal Dunn – 2019 World Cup) have appeared in a major tournament final before, the fewest in any final starting XI for the #USWNT since the 1991 World Cup Final (none), the first in team history. New. pic.twitter.com/Pi5n5PytoG
Two big milestones for USWNT forwards today: Mallory Swanson, who earned her first cap with the USWNT at age 17, will be making her 100th appearance in today’s game.
And in another big milestone, forward Sophia Smith is playing in today’s game while celebrating her 24th birthday. If everything goes according to plan, it’ll be a sweet (and memorable) birthday indeed.
Here is Brazil’s starting lineup, with Marta available on the bench.
BRASIL ESCALADO! 🇧🇷🥹
É hoje! Vale ouro! A @SelecaoFeminina entra em campo neste sábado (10), a partir das 12h contra a equipe dos Estados Unidos, nos Jogos Olímpicos de Paris.
USWNT announces its starting lineup for the gold medal match
USWNT coach Emma Hayes is largely sticking with the same crew, with one notable exception: Korbin Albert is starting in the midfield in place of Rose Lavelle. Lavelle was subbed out in the 60th minute of the semifinal against Germany; she has been dealing with injuries over the past year and likely needs the rest, but she is available on the bench.
Lining up for the Gold Medal Match in Paris, our XI 🇺🇸#USWNT x @Visa
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 10, 2024
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