Page 82 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SUMMER OLYMPICS 2024
LEFT:
Players of the United States celebrate after winning the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Women Gold medal football match between Brazil and United States
BY SEAN MASLIN
GOLDEN GIRLS!
‘TEAM USA GOLD MEDALISTS POSE WITH THEIR GOLD MEDALS’
When Emma Hayes took over the United States Women’s National Team coaching job back in November of last year the hope within American supporter circles was that she could eventually bring them back to the top of the mountain.
As it turns out, eventually meant her first major tournament with the team:
the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
Buoyed by Hayes and an array of young talent the USWNT earned their fifth Gold Medal knocking off a spirited veteran-heavy Brazil side 1-0 in the finals. w
The final, much like the entire tournament,
was dominated by the USWNT’s young corps of players given the keys to the starting eleven by Hayes. It was a daring proposition by the former Chelsea boss who just joined the team on June 1st. Without mainstays, Megan Rapinoe (retired), Julie Ertz (retired), and Alex Morgan (left off the roster by Hayes) the USWNT relied on the likes of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Naomi Girma.
That gamble paid off in particular on the attack. Swanson, Smith, and Rodman have all become regulars within the USWNT over the past few years all three were still looking for their breakout tournament. The trio
now known as The Triple Espresso added
a jolt of energy to the US, taking what had been a major point of concern heading
into Paris and turning it on its head. The
trio combined to score ten of the team’s twelve goals with Swanson slamming home the game-winner against Brazil. While the US’ attacking efforts were impressive, they were equally deadly on the defense. Led
by Girma, the US allowed just two goals throughout their Olympic run including
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