USWNT vs. Brazil: Olympic Gold Medal Match Preview

The USWNT is one win away from redemption and clinching the Olympic gold medal. Their opponent is a familiar foe who no one expected to get here. Brazil pulled off a shocking 4-2 upset over Spain despite having 25% possession during the game. It’s safe to say you won’t find many results in the history of soccer where a team will score four goals and have minimal possession of the ball. Yet, Brazil’s finishing has been on point throughout the tournament, and they’ve done it without their legend Marta. For the United States, it’s been an arduous path to the final with another extra-time win, but it doesn’t have to be pretty. It’s all about surviving and advancing. With everything on the line, let’s dive deeper and preview the USWNT vs. Brazil gold medal match. 

USWNT vs. Brazil: Saturday, August 10 at 11:00 AM ET/8:00 AM PT, USA Network, Peacock, Telemundo

Twice before Brazil reached this stage at the Olympics, the USWNT thwarted them. 2004 and 2008 featured Marta as the centerpiece of their squads, but now the next generation of Brazil has stepped up in a big way. After Marta was shockingly shown a red card against Spain in the Group Stage and suspended for two games, Brazil pulled off two huge upsets.

Seleção fended off the hosts, France, in the quarterfinal by bending but not breaking and keeping the game 0-0 until they scored in the 82nd minute to win the game.

Taking on Spain as heavy underdogs, no one would’ve guessed they’d do it again, especially without Marta. Yet an own goal from Irene Paredes of Spain gave them the start to the game they needed, and they could adopt a similar gameplan of sitting back defensively and finishing on the counter attack. By the time Spain got on the board, it was already too late, and Brazil’s upset was complete. 

The strategy will likely be the same against the USWNT: sit back and defend while looking to take advantage on the counter. Based on how the USWNT has played, they will have at least one or two significant chances of getting on the board. The USWNT has left it till late in their last two matches, but their stars have stepped up when they need it the most. They’ve dubbed themselves as Triple Espresso, and it is fitting because they are the three who bring the most energy to the team. Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith each have clutch extra-time goals. Is it Mallory Swanson’s turn to do the same in a tough match against Brazil?

The United States has won the last seven games against Brazil and has only lost to them thrice in 40 matchups. The United States should get the job done, but these Olympics have already been rife with shocking upsets. There could be another in-store with the greatest of all time, Marta, who will likely return for this game. It’d be a storybook ending if she starred in this game and helped her country win their first gold medal as a farewell to the international game.

As long as Alyssa Naeher and Naomi Girma hold firm at the back, they have a great chance of winning this game in regular time and not having to worry about an extra 30 minutes or penalties. Emma Hayes declared Naomi Girma as the best defender she’s ever seen, and she’s seen a lot of great players from around the world. If Hayes says something like that, it holds even more weight. We’re witnessing greatness from the USWNT, who is on an incredible run. They only need one more win to complete the objective. The Stars and Stripes have a huge opportunity in front of them. All they have to do is finish the job against Brazil. Let’s see if they can make history. 

Featured image via @uswnt on Instagram

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