The GIST: The No. 2 USWNT emerged victorious in the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup, triumphing over No. 11 Brazil with a 1–0 win in front of a sold-out crowd of 30,000 last night. This much-needed trophy comes as the U.S. team looks to solidify their form leading up to the Paris Olympics just four months away. Up, up, and away they soar.
How it went down: To be honest, it wasn’t the prettiest match for either side. Captain and midfielder Lindsey Horan netted the decisive goal with a stellar first-half header, but it was the only bright spot in a disjointed championship game.
Despite struggling to maintain possession and create chances, the Americans dug deep, displaying their characteristic grit even with weary, waterlogged legs.
Looking at the bigger picture: Securing the inaugural W Gold Cup is a significant boost for the evolving USWNT, particularly following their challenging group stage defeat to Mexico. While the technical execution may have been lacking at times, the American team’s never-say-die attitude truly came to the fore in the knockout rounds.
In summary: This may not have been a tournament-winning performance that would secure a gold medal in Paris, but there are plenty of positives for the Americans to take away — especially in terms of trusting their young talents, such as Golden Ball-winning forward Jaedyn Shaw. Next on the agenda? Hosting the ninth annual SheBelieves Cup kicking off on April 6th and featuring Brazil, as well as No. 8 Japan and No. 10 CanWNT. More football action on the horizon.
