USWNT lineup for the Olympic final

“I think what I love most about Emma is that she has the perfect balance of being serious but also having her silly side,” Mallory Swanson said. “I think seeing that side of a coach helps a lot because we’re all human and she does a great job of showing that.”

Here’s what the Americans will wear for their gold medal game against Brazil.

Brazil’s journey to this point has been… interesting. Marta, the legend, received a red card in Brazil’s final group match and was suspended for two matches. She would only have been able to return to this tournament – reportedly her last on the international stage – if her teammates had managed to reach the gold medal match. They did, and Marta will have at least one final moment in front of the world.

Fighting spirit won’t be enough for the Brazilians against the USA, however. The American back line, led by Naomi Girma, is strong. Alyssa Naeher was solid in goal. Although the USA couldn’t play to its offensive power in France, it did score enough goals to reward the defense. Choose “The Triple Threat,” “The Big Three,” “Triple Espresso” – whatever you prefer for the trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith – to put the ball in the net.

Result prediction: USA 2, Brazil 0

At the Olympic Games, the US Women’s National Team can be found on the winners’ podium. The USWNT is guaranteed a medal at the Paris Games, but the color has yet to be decided in the final against Brazil. The Americans have won gold at the Olympic Games four times (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012), more than any other team. They also took silver in Sydney in 2000 and bronze in Tokyo.

Do the math, and that means the USWNT has won a medal at every Olympic Games except 2016. Oh, and another fun fact? The USWNT won two of their gold medals in the 2004 and 2008 finals against Brazil.

USWNT players

• Forward: Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Jaedyn Smith, Trinity Rodman, Crystal Dunn.
• Goalkeeper: Casey Murphy and Alyssa Naeher.
• Defender: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett.
• Midfielder: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams.

Marta, the great Brazilian, will play her last international match today when Brazil faces the USA. It is the fourth time in her career that Marta has reached the final of a major tournament and the third time at the Olympics. The Brazilians lost to the USWNT in 2004 and 2008. They also lost to Germany at the 2007 World Cup.

“We all wanted to play in the final at the Olympic Games, regardless of the circumstances. But of course this is an additional motivation,” Angelina said on Friday. “We want to give this medal to Marta. She has given us so much throughout her career. She has given everything she has for us and for women’s football. She really deserves to play in the final.”

USWNT wants to make a fresh start in Paris with a young squad and new coach

With the youngest team since the 2008 Olympic Games and a new coach, the US women’s national team wants to get back on the road to success.

Here are all the games the US women played at the Paris Olympics.

USWNT Olympic victories

The USWNT has an overall record of 32-7-4 at the Olympics, including four gold medals won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

USWNT vs. Brazil: Olympic History

The USWNT and Brazil have a history together at the Olympics. The teams faced each other in the finals in 2004 and 2008, with the USWNT winning each time. Although no one from those USWNT teams is still there, Brazilian icon Marta played in both games. Brazil scored one goal in those two games, through Pretinha in 2004.

“What happened in the past is far behind us,” said Brazil coach Arthus Elias on Friday. “Football deserves great games and we should stop moaning and talking about the past. We have new ingredients, new things to talk about instead of thinking about the past.”

“I’m not worried at all about what happened in the past,” added Elias. “I believe we are close to making our dream come true and that our players will do their best tomorrow.”

The last time the USWNT advanced to the Olympic gold medal game

The USWNT is the most successful women’s soccer team with four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals. But the last time they were in the Olympic final was just a minute ago.

In Tokyo, the Americans won the bronze medal after losing to eventual Olympic champions Canada in the semifinals. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the USWNT were eliminated in the quarterfinals, their earliest ever elimination from a major international tournament. They “topped” this dubious result last summer when they were eliminated in the round of 16 at the World Championships in Australia and New Zealand.

The last time the USWNT reached the Olympic final was in 2012, when they defeated Japan to win their third consecutive gold medal. There are no players left from that team.

Emma Hayes calls Naomi Girma the best defender she has ever seen

Emma Hayes paid Naomi Girma the ultimate compliment. Girma, the reigning U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, is widely considered one of the best center backs in the world. But Hayes said the qualification wasn’t necessary. “She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever,” Hayes said after Girma’s iron-clad defensive play helped secure the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Germany that sent the Americans to the gold medal game. “I’ve never seen a player as good at the back as she is.”