The Paris Olympics wrapped up over the weekend, with the USWNT reclaiming their place atop the major tournament mountain after earning their fifth gold medal on Saturday. USWNT forward Mallory Swanson scored the game's lone goal in the 57th minute to lead the team to their eventual 1-0 win over Brazil. 

The US never trailed at the 2024 Olympics and became the first women's team in tournament history to record shutouts through all three knockout rounds.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher makes a huge save in the USWNT's gold medal victory over Brazil.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's epic save helped secure the USWNT's fifth Olympic gold medal. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Second-half adjustments secured USWNT win

Brazil looked the better of the two teams in the first half, bypassing the USWNT's midfield to pressure their backline with probing, vertical play. Recent Chicago Red Stars signing Ludmila spurred chaos among the USWNT defense, striking what would have been the game's opening goal if she hadn't been ruled offside.

The US held fast to a 0-0 scoreline at the half, then worked their way back into the match. A well-weighted pass from Korbin Albert ultimately split Brazil's defense and slotted Swanson in on goal.

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USA's World Cup rebound streak kept alive

The victory represents a monumental bounce-back after a disappointing 2023 World Cup — not to mention an early indication of new manager Emma Hayes's future with the team.

To date, the USWNT has consistently walked away either one — but never both — of the international women's soccer cycle's two major titles, keeping alive their streak of capturing Olympic gold the year after losing a World Cup.

As for Hayes, the new boss is 9-0-1 in her first 10 games with the USWNT, making an immediate impact in the team's ability to get the job done on the biggest of world stages.

The USWNT's frontline of Trinity Rodman, Mal Swanson, and Sophia Smith show off their Olympic gold medals.
Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith each scored at least three goals in the Paris Olympics. (Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)

Joy caffeinates USWNT's frontline

The USWNT's "Triple Espresso" frontline trio — Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman — contributed at least three goals each to the USA's 12-goal Olympic tally, including a game-winner apiece in the knockout stages.

France's Marie-Antoinette Katoto finished as the tournament's leading scorer with five goals overall, followed by Swanson's four.

"I think most importantly, you’re probably hearing it, we’re playing with joy," Swanson told reporters after the match. "We’re having so much fun. I’m just so happy."

Hayes, who joined the team in May, echoed Swanson's sentiment, saying, "I'm so excited about what we can do together. It's been 75 days, baby!"

The 91st, your one-stop-shop for all things USWNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics is back and breaking down the Olympic semifinals.

The United States Women's National Team is back on top of the soccer world following a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal match. Hosts Jordan Angeli, Duda Pavao, and Jess McDonald breakdown Alyssa Naeher’s incredible performance, Mal Swanson’s soccer intelligence, and this team’s legacy amongst the great US squads of the past.

Later, the hosts also debate the importance of Olympic lifeguards, track tiaras, and Despicable Me socks.

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In another episode of The Late Sub, Claire breaks down how the Olympics are the vibey-est tournament around, how individuals stepping up despite tactical balance doesn't always make sense, and how this USWNT generation should be remembered plus a quick look to the future.

She also salutes Brazil, who reminded the world what they can do at their very best by sending international football legend Marta off with an Olympic silver medal.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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The USWNT is one match away from their ultimate goal after making their way through a grueling Olympic tournament to advance to Saturday's gold medal game against Brazil.

This will be the third Olympic gold medal match meeting for the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup finalists, with the US defeating Brazil at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Games to top the podium.

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Retiring Marta fuels Brazil's podium push

While the USWNT — fresh off a disappointing 2023 World Cup run — are undoubtedly motivated in their push for gold, Brazil might have an even greater galvanizing force. Legendary Brazil footballer Marta announced in April that the 2024 Games would be her last international tournament with Brazil — a team that's never before won a World Cup or Olympic title.

What's more, Marta's teammates carried the burden of reaching the gold medal game: The 38-year-old will return on Saturday after a two-game red card suspension dating back to the team's final group stage game against Spain.

Team USA stars Trinity Rodman and Emily Fox celebrate after USWNT's game-winning goal in their Olympic quarterfinal
Trinity Rodman, Emily Fox, and the rest of the USWNT will vie for Olympic gold tomorrow. (Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)

Attacking key to USWNT Olympic gold medal success

The US most recently defeated Brazil 1-0 at the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup final behind Lindsey Horan's 46th-minute goal in stoppage time. That said, Brazil arguably has more immediate momentum after rattling off two major upsets in the Olympic knockout rounds, first against France and then Spain.

To win, the US will have to stifle Brazil's potent attack in what will likely be an open end-to-end battle, while simultaneously converting their chances in front of goal.

Spain attacker Salma Paralluelo goes up against Germany goalie Ann-Katrin Berger at the Olympic Women's Bronze Medal match
German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger managed to secure a clean sheet against Spain. (Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Germany denies World Cup champs in bronze medal match

Germany beat Spain 1-0 in this morning's bronze medal contest, leaving the reigning World Cup champions and early tournament favorites without a medal for their efforts in Paris.

Giulia Gwinn put Germany ahead in the second half, sinking a penalty after being fouled in Spain's 18-yard box. Later, Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger once again played the hero for Germany, saving an Alexia Putellas penalty kick in second-half stoppage time to secure the clean sheet.

How to watch USWNT vs. Brazil in the Olympic gold-medal match

The USWNT kicks off the gold medal match against Brazil on Saturday at 11 AM ET, with live coverage across NBC networks.

In perhaps their toughest Olympic task so far, USA Volleyball took down Brazil 3-2 in this morning’s back-and-forth semifinal to advance to Sunday’s gold medal match.

The win guarantees the US a seventh Olympic podium finish and the chance to repeat their Tokyo gold medal win — a feat they accomplished by beating Brazil back in 2021.

Brazil's Thaisa Daher De Menezes and Gabi Guimarães in their loss to Team USA at the Olympic semifinal
Star Gabi Guimarães kept Brazil in the Olympic semifinal match, but Team USA still clinched the win. (NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

A volleyball rivalry with Olympic history

The longtime rival nations have met on the Olympic court many times, including five medal contests over the last eight Olympics. 

In those five matches, Brazil walked away with three medals (two gold, one bronze), while Team USA notched one gold and one bronze in two wins.

USA Volleyball star Kathryn Plummer celebrates in the Olympic semifinal win over Brazil
Kathryn Plummer led Team USA with 26 points in their Olympic semifinal win over Brazil. (NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Team USA ends Brazil's Olympic gold medal hopes

While there wasn’t a medal on the line in this morning's five-set thriller, the teams definitely played like there was. The US struck first, taking the first set before trading the next three with Brazil, who forced the deciding fifth set largely off the outstanding play of star Gabi Guimarães.

But the States shifted into gear in the fifth, downing Brazil 15-11 off a Kathryn Plummer kill to clinch a spot in Sunday's final.

Plummer led the US with 26 points, while fellow outside hitter Avery Skinner and opposite Annie Drews contributed an impressive 19 and 18, respectively.

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What's next for USA Volleyball

Today's win might have been the USA’s toughest challenge on their path to back-to-back gold, but to complete the job, they’ll have to take down the winner of today’s Turkey-Italy semifinal.

The volleyball gold medal match will kick off on Sunday at 7 AM ET, with live coverage across NBC networks.

Team USA Beach Volleyball team Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes hug after losing their Olympic quarterfinal
Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes' Olympic quarterfinal loss took the US out of beach volleyball medal contention. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

USA Beach Volleyball loses Olympic medal bid

Over on the sand, Team USA’s last hope for a beach volleyball medal vanished in Tuesday’s quarterfinal round, making this the first Summer Olympics without a US team on the podium since 2000.

Last-standing US pair Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes fell in straight sets to Switzerland’s Nina Brunner and Tanja Hüberli, just one day after fellow US duo Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth fell in the round of 16.

It’s a disappointing finish for a national contingent that’s claimed four of the previous five gold medals — most recently by Alix Klineman and April Ross’s Tokyo A-Team.

The 91st, your one-stop-shop for all things USWNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics is back and breaking down the Olympic semifinals.

It wasn't always pretty, but the result remains the same. The USWNT is through to the Olympic gold medal match after back-to-back 1-0 extra time wins over Japan and Germany. Hosts Jordan Angeli, Jess McDonald, and Duda Pavao react to those games, provide player ratings, and talk through Brazil's stunning win over World Cup champions Spain.

Later, Allie Long joins in for a game of "This or That," addressing such pressing issues as whether or not Simone Biles or Katie Ledecky is the bigger GOAT.

To close things out, the crew previews the USWNT's gold medal final and discusses whether Emma Hayes should make some shock lineup changes in order to put the best XI on the pitch.

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It once again required extra time to break the deadlock, but the USWNT defeated Germany on Tuesday thanks to a Sophia Smith strike in the 95th minute.

The 1-0 win ensured them a spot in their first Olympic gold medal match since 2012.

USWNT foward Sophia Smith on the field against Germany at the Olympics women's semifinal match
Sophia Smith scored the game-winning goal against Germany in the 95th minute. (John Todd/ISI/Getty Images)

With little rotation to the starting XI, the US and Germany played to a 0-0 stalemate in regulation despite positive early opportunities for the USWNT to pull ahead. After more than 90 minutes of frustration, linkup play generated by Naomi Girma, progressed by Sam Coffey, and then sent through the back line by Mallory Swanson finally reached the target.

Alyssa Naeher provided one final — and exceptional — kick-save to see the result out, as the USWNT survived a much narrower rematch of their 4-1 group stage win.

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USWNT win ends five-year title game drought

Saturday's gold medal match will be the USWNT's first title game since the 2019 World Cup, and the 2024 Olympic tournament has other parallels to past successes as well. The US hasn't trailed in France thus far, and they've only seen one other Olympic Games (2004) through without falling behind. They've also won three World Cups without trailing.

Plus, they've now defeated Germany five times in major tournament knockout rounds, most recently in the 2015 World Cup.

Brazil forward Priscila celebrates after Spain's own goal in the women's semi-final football match between Brazil and Spain during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
A Spain own-goal put Brazil ahead 1-0 in their Olympic quarterfinal clash. (CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Marta-less Brazil upsets World Cup champs Spain

Now guaranteed to improve on their Tokyo Olympics bronze medal finish, the USWNT will turn to another familiar opponent: Brazil.

Brazil produced the upset of the tournament in Tuesday's second semifinal, dominating Spain to win 4-2 in regulation. An own goal had the reigning World Champions reeling early, followed by goals from Gabi Portilho, Adriana, and Kerolin.

Salma Paralluelo scored a late brace to get Spain back into the contest, but Brazil held tight in a successful effort to give footballing legend Marta a shot at her first gold medal in her last international tournament.

Ultimately, one year after Europe ruled the 2023 World Cup, the 2024 Olympic Final will instead see this year's Concacaf W Gold Cup finalists face off again. And with both the US and Brazil overachieving throughout this tournament, the gold is truly anyone's to grab.

In another YouTube exclusive of The Late Sub, Claire talks through an epic Olympic soccer semifinal round that saw both the USWNT and Brazil rewriting narratives about the state of international women’s soccer. She discusses set pieces, Naomi Girma’s exceptional talent, and getting through difficult moments. She then wraps things up with a quick preview of Saturday’s gold medal game.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

Canada announced its official Olympic women’s national team (CanWNT) on Monday, becoming the fourth team in the 12-squad tournament to lock in their 18-player lineup ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.

The only country to make the last three Olympic podiums, all but four players named to the reigning Olympic gold medalists' roster have previous Olympic experience. Portland Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming will lead this year's team as captain.

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Last summer was a disappointing one for Canada, punctuated by a record-early World Cup exit. In what amounted to a tumultuous year, head coach Bev Priestman's squad also faced off-pitch labor disputes as well as all-time leading international goal scorer Christine Sinclair’s retirement from international soccer. 

"I believe we have a squad that blends experience and youth, is positionally balanced, and possesses incredible athleticism and football talent," coach Bev Priestman said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Brazil became the latest national soccer team to release its 18-player Olympic roster.

The lineup features several familiar faces, including NWSL stars Tarciane (Houston Dash), Rafaelle (Orlando Pride), Adriana (Orlando Pride), Kerolin (NC Courage), and Marta (Orlando Pride). Angelina (Orlando Pride) and Lauren (KC Current) will travel with the team as alternates.

All eyes were on new head coach Arthur Elias's much-anticipated roster, with global soccer legend Marta announcing her impending retirement from international play in late April. The tournament marks the 38-year-old's sixth Olympics, and will likely be her final international outing.

Should she find the back of the net in Paris, Marta will become the first player — male or female — to score in six-consecutive Summer Games. She's currently the all-time leading goal scorer for both club and country, registering 35 career goals for the Orlando Pride alongside 199 for Brazil.

Half of Brazil's lineup also appeared in last year's World Cup under previous head coach Pia Sundhage. However, noteworthy striker Debinha, who plays for the NWSL's unbeaten Kansas City Current, did not make the Olympic cut.

Brazil has been named the host for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with FIFA announced early Friday. 

The decision came after a vote at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, with Brazil earning 119 votes to the joint European bid’s 78. 

This will be Brazil’s first time hosting the Women’s World Cup, with the country having hosted the men’s World Cup twice before in 1950 and 2014. It will also be the first Women’s World Cup held in South America. The tournament will follow the same 32-team format as the 2023 WWC in Australia and New Zealand.

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Brazil winning the bid was not entirely surprising after FIFA issued a report just last week, stating that the Brazilian bid had pulled ahead as host following technical inspection. After evaluation, Brazil was given a score of 4.0 out of 5, compared to the 3.7 awarded to the Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Brazil ranked higher in a number of key areas, including stadiums, accommodations, fan zones, and transport infrastructure. Though considered to be a frontrunner, the US and Mexico withdrew their joint bid prior to the technical inspection period, saying they would instead focus their efforts on 2031.

On Friday, Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues called it a "victory." 

"We knew we would be celebrating a victory for South American women's soccer and for women," he told reporters. "You can be sure, with no vanity, we will accomplish the best World Cup for women."

"We are working on a transformation, not only for the country but for the continent," added bid team operational manager Valesca Araujo.

Brazil intends to use 10 of the venues utilized at the 2014 men’s World Cup, including holding the final in Rio de Janeiro on July 25th. The CBF's proposal outlines that the 2027 tournament run from June 24th through the end of July. Last summer’s World Cup began at the end of July and concluded on August 19th.

Another notable element of Brazil's newly unveiled plan to grow of the women’s game is that "all [men’s] clubs wishing to take part in high-level national and continental competitions must now provide a structure for a women’s team." While the definition of "structure" was not specifically identified, the country has set targets with CONMEBOL to help increase the number of women’s club teams in the country.

In last week's inspection findings, FIFA noted that selecting Brazil as the next WWC host could "have a tremendous impact on women's football in the region."