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The US women’s national team has one final hurdle to overcome before they can claim Olympic glory. The USWNT and Brazil meet for the third time on Saturday in an Olympic gold medal match, with the two programs at vastly different places in their respective development cycles. Brazil are saying goodbye to the iconic face of their program after Marta announced that 2024 would be her final year with the national team. The United States welcomed a new head coach Emma Hayes, just three months agoand its roster of several first-time Olympians will compete for a potential fifth gold medal – the team’s first gold medal match since 2012.
The USWNT comes from a 1-0 extra time against Germanywhile Brazil eliminated Spain4-2, during the semi-final. Germany defeated Spain for the bronze medal on Friday and the remaining medals will be decided between Brazil and the United States. It will be the 41st meeting of all time between the two rivals and the US leads the 32W-5D-3L series. More recent matches between the two sides have been decided on close scores; the gold medal match will be the second match between them in 2024. The North and South Americans faced off in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup final in March, with the USWNT claiming the trophy before Hayes joined the side line added.
The belief-ball meter is off the charts for both sides, so who will claim the top spot on the podium? Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming match:
View information
- Date: Saturday August 10 | Time: 11am ET
- Location: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
- TV: USA Network, Telemundo | Live stream: Fubo (try it for free)
- Chances: US +100; Sign +200; Brazil +380
USWNT lineup projection
USWNT starting XI: Alyssa Naeher, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman
Storylines
USWNT: According to head coach Emma Hayes, there is a lot of good humor coming out of the training. The USWNT manager told media in France that the group is trying to balance tired legs with lighter camaraderie, including karaoke and puzzle building. Hayes has only been with the group for three months and the group is playing with joy and confidence heading into the gold medal match with excellent defensive performances from center back Naomi Girma and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and goals from attack.
Forwards Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman have introduced themselves to the global audience as the definitive USWNT top line and the attacking trio has been unstoppable this tournament.
Brazil: The squad will be motivated by their performances in the knockout round against tournament hosts France and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions Spain. Head coach Arthur Elias has put his faith in local domestic players, while Brazilian legend Marta is serving a two-match ban with a red card for a high boot. The program is showing signs of transition and is capable of producing in big moments without their biggest star, and her return could pose some tactical questions for the coaching staff. Will they start Marta or not?
Prediction
It’s a very different version of the rivalry now and it will probably feel that way on match day. Brazil will bring the skill and will with a tough game, but the USWNT’s steady defense and clinical attack will continue. Choose: USWNT 2, Brazil 0
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