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The USWNT defeated Brazil 1-0 to win their first CONCACAF W Gold Cup as Lindsey Horan scored the only goal of the match in front of a sold-out crowd in San Diego.
The Star and Stripes held firm on home ground, with Lindsey scoring a header from a well-placed lofted pass from Emily Fox in first-half stoppage time, despite Brazil having more shots on target than their opponents (7 to 11).
Horan’s decisive goal was her third goal of the tournament. Her previous goals were from the penalty spot.
Sunday also marked the fourth time the U.S. faced Brazil in a tournament final. The Americans also won the previous three, including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
The match drew 31,528 fans to Snapdragon Stadium, a record attendance for a CONCACAF women’s match.
Lindsey Horan proved to be the difference maker at the end of the first half with a bullet header
Horan was in fine form going into Sunday’s final as she scored her third tournament goal against Brazil
The US held the first-ever W Gold Cup in front of a sold-out crowd of 31,528 fans in San Diego
Horan won the Fair Play Award, while best player went to Jaedyn Shaw. Alyssa Naeher won the tournament’s Golden Glove Award
Brazilian players look dejected after receiving their silver medal despite having more shots
San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium was at full capacity for the first W CONCACAF Gold Cup final
Lynn Williams almost scored a second for the United States in the 79th minute, but the play was offside. Casey Krueger headed in a dangerous Brazilian cross in the final phase.
The United States was stunned in the group stage of the tournament by a 2-0 loss to Mexico – only the second defeat in the 43-match series.
The Americans bounced back with a 3-0 win over Colombia in the quarter-finals before advancing to the final on penalties following a rain-soaked 2-2 draw with Canada in the semi-finals.
Interim coach Twila Kilgore led the US to its first trophy since the disastrous World Cup season
The Americans were overjoyed at full-time and won their fourth tournament final against Brazil
American forward Lynn Williams thought she had scored in the second half but was ruled out for offside
Brazilian Geyse, centre, reacts after missing a precious chance to score in the second half
Brazilian Debinha also came very close to the equalizer from a free kick, but shot wide
Horan captained the Star and Stripes and also scored as she put in a memorable performance
Chelsea’s Emma Hayes will take over the US after the conclusion of the English club’s WSL campaign
Brazil had won each of the five matches in the tournament, including a 3–0 win over Mexico in the semi-finals, by fifteen goals. The Brazilians allowed just two goals in total in the team’s first competitive tournament under coach Arthur Elias, who took over from Pia Sundhage following Brazil’s exit from the Women’s World Cup last summer.
Similarly, the United States played its first tournament under interim coach Twila Kilgore, who took on her role after the team parted ways with coach Vlatko Andonovski following its earliest-ever World Cup elimination.
The United States has hired Emma Hayes as the team’s coach, but she will end the season with Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.
Both Brazil and the United States have qualified for next summer’s Olympic Games in France.