USWNT captures inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup title with 1-0 victory over Brazil
SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Women’s National Team won the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup with a 1-0 win against Brazil in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 31,528 fans on a beautiful night in San Diego. A goal from team captain Lindsey Horan in the dying moments of the first half was enough to clinch the victory and for the U.S. to claim its 15th all-time title at a Concacaf championship tournament. (HIGHLIGHTS)
The crowd was the largest ever for a Concacaf women’s event hosted in the United States. The USA finished the tournament with 15 goals as forward Jadeyn Shaw scored four times in the tournament while Horan had three.
Shaw earned the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper. Naeher earned four shutouts in her five starts and etched her place in USWNT history with a stellar three-save performance in the penalty shootout against Canada in the semifinal. The USA also earned the tournament’s Fair Play award.
The first half was a tight and physical contest, but the USA did well to stay organized on defense despite some heavy challenges as the teams combined for 12 fouls before the break. The Americans came close to opening the scoring on a few occasions while also doing well to create opportunities on counter attacks. The USA finally created a goal in first half stoppage time when Horan finished off a long cross from Fox that came deep from the right flank. Horan rose above her defender and sent a perfect header across the frame into the right corner, marking her third goal of the tournament and her first from open play after previously burying two from the penalty spot.
Inspired by the late goal, the USA came out strong in the second half, connecting well with quick passes and threatening Brazil down the wings with speed. On the defensive end, the U.S. put on a masterclass – led by center backs Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson, neither of whom put a foot wrong all night – to deny Brazil any shots on goal despite the South Americans taking 11 total shots, while Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox did well to limit any forwards getting behind them on the flanks.
The Americans nearly doubled their lead in the 79th minute after winning a ball from Brazil in the defensive third which led to Lynn Williams getting in behind the defense. The halftime sub beat the goalkeeper with good finish, but her goal was correctly waved off for offside.
Brazil fought until the end and strung together a few dangerous chances toward the final moments, especially on set plays, but the USA held strong – including a goal line clearance from defender Casey Krueger – to earn the victory.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
USA – Lindsey Horan (Emily Fox), 45+1 minute: Trinity Rodman received the ball on the right wing and dribbled all the way to the end line, inviting pressure from two defenders before finding Fox open behind her. Fox sent a cross toward the far post where Horan rose to finish with a header into the right side netting from six yards out. USA 1, BRA 0
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Emily Fox’s assist to set up Horan’s goal was her first of 2024 and third in her career.
- Horan’s four goal contributions (3 goals, 1 assist) tied with Jaedyn Shaw (4 goals) for the most on the team this tournament.
- Horan has now been directly involved in a goal in 4 of her 5 appearances for the USA in competitive finals. She scored in the final of 2016 Olympic qualifying vs. Canada, had an assist in the final of 2018 World Cup Qualifying vs CAN, scored in the final of 2020 Olympic Qualifying vs. Canada and now scored in the Concacaf W Gold Cup Final.
- At 20 years and 149 days of age, Korbin Albert became the youngest player to start a competitive final for the USA since Mallory Swanson (formerly Pugh) started the final of Olympic qualifying in 2016 at age 17.
- The match was the fourth matchup between the USWNT and Brazil in a final, with the USA winning each of them by a one goal margin.
- The USA and Brazil have played 39 times total with the U.S. leading the overall series 32W-5D-3L. The USA has won each of its last six games against Brazil, though nine of the last 10 games between the teams have been decided by two goals or fewer.
- Jaedyn Shaw has now won the Golden Ball in both Concacaf tournaments in which she has participated. She previously earned the honor at the U-15 level in 2018.
– U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Brazil
Date: March 10, 2024
Competition: Concacaf W Gold Cup – Final
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium; San Diego, Calif.
Attendance: 31,528
Kickoff: 5:15 p.m. PT (8:15 p.m. ET)
Weather: 65 degrees, partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
BRA 0 0 0
USA – Lindsey Horan (Emily Fox) 45+1 minute
Lineups:
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 23-Emily Fox, 12-Tierna Davidson, 4-Naomi Girma, 19-Crystal Dunn (20-Casey Krueger, 86); 17-Sam Coffey (8-Jaedyn Shaw, 71), 15-Korbin Albert, 10-Lindsey Horan (Capt.), 22-Trinity Rodman (9-Midge Purce, 71), 7-Alex Morgan (11-Sophia Smith, 59), 16-Rose Lavelle (6-Lynn Williams, 46)
Substitutes not used: 18-Casey Murphy, 21-Jane Campbell, 2-Abby Dahlkemper, 3-Jenna Nighswonger , 5-Becky Sauerbrunn, 13-Olivia Moultrie, 14-Emily Sonnett
Head Coach: Twila Kilgore
BRA: 1-Luciana; 2-Antonia, 3-Tarciane, 5-Thaís; 11-Adriana, 21-Duda Santos (16-Yaya, 57), 20-Duda (15-Julia Bianchi, 80), 6-Yasmim; 18-G. Portilho, 9-Gabi Nunes (19-Geyse, 65), 10-Bia Zaneratto (Capt.) (7-Debinha, 80)
Substitutes not used: 12-Barbieri, 22-Amanda, 4-Rafaelle, 8-Ary Borges, 13-Beatriz Ferreira, 14-Lauren, 17-Aline Milene de Lima, 23-Aline Gomes
Head Coach: Arthur Ribas
Stats Summary: USA / BRA
Shots: 7 / 11
Shots on Goal: 3 / 0
Saves: 0 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 8
Offside: 2 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Alex Morgan (Caution) 55th minute
Officials:
Referee: Melissa Borjas (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Shirley Perello (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Lourdes Noriega (HON)
4th Official: Odette Hamilton (JAM)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)
AVAR1: Daneon Parchment (JAM)
Michelob Ultra Woman of the Match: Lindsey Horan
