THE GOLDEN GIRLS

U.S.A. overcome gallant Brazil with help from their triple shot trident.

“They have taken on everything I asked, they are tremendous people, players and role models. I love them.”

With Megan Rapinoe now retired and the ever dependable Alex Morgan not selected for Paris ‘24, it’s become clear that new manager Emma Hayes moves with the next generation. The USWNT’s World Cup performance in Australia was, by all measures, a failure. Eliminated by Sweden in the last sixteen phase, the United States had offered minimal attacking impact. Group stage draws with The Netherlands and Portugal had raised questions, and a solitary victory against Vietnam didn’t set the heather alight.

So it was, the powers that be pulled their trigger. Vlatko Andonovski was out, and the search for a new head coach began. Was it harsh? Perhaps. It was clear to many that a number of American superstars where reaching the end of their respective lines, and a transitional period would be in play. Who could guide this ship through stormy seas? The choice was to be Chelsea’s commander and chief, Emma Hayes. The Englishwoman had driven her club side to seven Super League titles, five FA Cups, and a Champions League final in a twelve year stint at the helm. It should also be noted, that she isn’t one to suffer fools.

Early doors, and many in the media questioned her call to leave out such a consistent goal scorer like Morgan. Hayes’ confidence in her conviction was unwavering, and the call to focus on a new attacking trident has paid dividends so far. The continuous rise of “Triple Espresso” makes headline after headline. Mallory Swanson. Trinity Rodman. Sophia Smith. The frontline have charged through the ranks to emerge as Olympic stars. While featured down under, the blooming trio have taken on a new role of responsibility in France, most evident in the last two games. Deadlocked into extra time, Rodman’s wondrous finish against Japan won them the quarter final. Thee days later, a similar scenario arose against Germany, before Smith’s deft touch lifted the U.S.A. into a gold medal match.

The sole survivor left to challenge America’s ambitions? Brazil. It could be argued that they can count themselves very lucky to be here after a less than stellar group stage outing. The first loss came against Japan, with As Canarinhas giving up two additional time goals to throw away three points. It was compounded by a loss to Spain in the final game, one that saw legendary figure Marta leave the pitch in tears after her untimely red card. There was to be a reprieve however, as Brazil snuck through by the skin of their teeth, due to finishing one goal better off than Australia when the tallies were totalled for third place qualifiers.

The switch would soon flip. A narrow victory against the host nation set up a reunion with world champion Spain, and the majority would have thought this was to be the end. Not the case. A scintillating performance saw Selecao strike four times, downing the competition favourites. Hurrying and harrying at every opportunity, Brazil showed zero fear compared to their group match encounter. Eliminating La Roja’s ability to dictate tempo, Priscila and Gabi Portilho’s infallible energy was key to their country’s advancement.

At thirty eight years old, it’s stalwart Marta’s last Olympic games. The six time Player of the Year has given her nation everything through twenty two years of service, and it would be fitting to end with a glittering prize. Brazil have been here before though, and both times it ended badly. Back to back losses in the finals of ‘04 and ‘08 saw them fall victim to…the USWNT. To make matters worse, both resulted in defeats after extra time. If you looked to America’s mode of knockout victory in this tournament as a superstitious type, it’d be cause for concern.

Into the Paris sunshine it was then, Selecao in the classic yellow, the United States in their change strip of red and blue. A capacity crowd were no doubt hoping for drama resembling the men’s final yesterday, a 5-3 thriller decided deep into extra time. Within two minutes, Brazil fashioned a great opportunity. Ludmila slipped around Sam Coffey, but her shot was tame and found its way straight into the hands of Alyssa Naeher. A warning for America. Sporting the dyed pink pigtails, Rodman was unmistakable as she advanced down the right flank. While an opening cross came to nothing, her influence was something that Brazil would have to focus on combating throughout the ninety minutes.

Moments later, a cheeky backheel turn dumbfounded Yasmim, before her reverse slide ball sent Swanson scampering down the line. The cross cannoned out for a corner, with birthday girl Sophia Smith lurking in the shadows. Selecao likely knew that the would have to weather storms from the United States, and counter attacks would be key. Ludmila’s speed allowed her to blister towards a Yasmim pass, before turning Naomi Girma inside out. Her finish was true and flashed past a hopeless Naeher, alas, the flag was raised for offside. Nevertheless, Brazil were growing in confidence and showed little signs of fear against the suggested superior opponent.

Soon enough, the U.S.A. had a counter chance of their own, Tierna Davidson feeding a surging Swanson. In her one hundredth international appearance, the forward fired into the midriff of Lorena, before Brazil scrambled clear. An engaging chess match, Emma Hayes’ decision to start Korbin Albert over Rose Lavelle suggested a focus on structural solidity, perhaps highlighting the want to negate Brazil’s transitional strengths.

Selecao continued to cause issues down the wings, with Jhennifer and Portilho occupying significant attention. Yet, Ludmila looked to be the danger woman once more, drifting in at the back stick to attack yet another fizzing cross. She was narrowly beaten to the ball by Emily Fox, who managed to flick a header clear before eyeballing her teammates. Concentration seemed to be lost again minutes later, as Portilho was found inside the box. Her hooked finish was saved by Naeher, who reacted well to claw the strike away with her fingertips. Half time was a welcome arrival for the USWNT, who had clearly hit an ebb in the Paris heat.

Early into the second forty five and Yaya went down with injury. Stretchered off, the hope will be it isn’t as serious as feared, with Ana Vitoria replacing the Corinthians midfielder. As both teams looked to regain tempo after such a lengthy break, the flashpoint arrived. A tired mistake gifted Albert the ball in a central area, and her pass fed Swanson with the Brazil’s back four unaligned. Keeping her composure, America’s number nine charged in on goal before shaping up to slide the ball across Lorena for the game’s opener. Selecao looked to the flag, but there would be no help. Thais Ferreira had played Swanson onside, and she wasn’t going to pass up the golden opportunity.

An hour played and Brazil looked to the bench. Ludmila, Jheniffer and Duda Sampaio off. Angelina, Priscila, and most notably, Marta on. As Canarinhas now needed a heroine, and the watching support were hopeful that it could be their legendary figure. Brazil’s defence were dicing with death however, playing a dangerously high line. The threat of America’s trident was ever present, and Rodman should’ve done far better with a sliced finish that floated harmlessly wide. A second goal would likely put the game to bed, but those in yellow appeared fearless in their pursuit of an equaliser.

Hayes finally looked to her bench seventy four minutes in, bringing on Emily Sonnet for Davidson. A switch at fullback, the latter had been battling through injury problems and put in a strong shift to deny Brazil throughout. The cooling break came, with Arthur Elias passing on his tactical wants to the Brazilian side. The decision to remove both Jheniffer and Ludmila did seem bizarre, as they were causing the U.S.A. significant problems. Although, it now appeared that there was a switch to two up top, so perhaps the desire was to be more direct in approach.

A substitution apiece with seven minutes of normal time to go, Brazil switching in Rafealle for Lauren, while the United States sacrificed Smith for the pacy Lynn Williams. Time was running out for Selecao, and they didn’t look particularly threatening. Adriana was soon fouled on the edge of the box by Coffey however, and Brazil were awarded the free kick in an inciting position. Marta went for goal, but it wasn’t close. Unlike the first half, Naeher had little to do in nets for America. It was as if the minutes played throughout the tournament had comeback to debilitate Brazil, even though it was the U.S.A. who had faced back to back extra time matches.

The game had become tired, and it was almost as if there was a wait to see who would make mistake rather than produce a moment of genius. Into additional time and Brazil’s chance arrived. Adriana met with a cross but her header was tame and claimed by Naeher, not the kind of magic that was needed. Emma Hayes then decided to throw another centre back into the mix, with goalscorer Swanson replaced by Casey Krueger. The want to hold onto the current scoreline was obvious. Lindsey Horan and Rafaelle then collided in the air, with the prior coming off worse. America’s captain was shaken, but after attention from the medical team, she was fine to continue.

Draining the clock, the U.S.A. harnessed their experience to control the game deep into Brazilian territory. Selecao long balls were more born out of hope than good judgement, and never came to anything of real note. Crystal Dunn and Horan used their leadership to motivate teammates, collected decisions and time management key, if not verging on the dark arts. Defensively masterful in large parts, USWNT had schemed through the knockouts without conceding. The result was no longer in doubt.

1-0 to America’s red, white and blue.

The golden girls are back.

THE GOLDEN GIRLS

U.S.A. overcome gallant Brazil with help from their triple shot trident.

DREAM TEAM RELOADED

ORO ROJO