USA v Brazil: Concacaf W Gold Cup final – live

Major injury for Brazil

Welcome to the best sporting event of the weekend that not enough people notice.

America’s women are in the greatest state of transition since Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett retired 20 years ago. They have an interim coach in place while they wait for the talented Emma Hayes to take over just a few months before the Olympics. They have teenagers who are already professional and pushing for places not only in the squad but also in the starting XI. The competition for places has never been so fierce.

And this is a tournament that is long overdue. On their own, Concacaf and South America don’t quite have the critical mass of quality teams to match Europe, and the continental championships lack a bit of polish. The Concacaf W Gold Cup has benefited enormously from the introduction of South American powers.

No one is more powerful than Brazil, who looked very much like Brazilian teams always do their best in their 3-0 dismantling of Mexico, a team that defeated the US earlier in this tournament.

The potential exists for a repeat of the 2007 World Cup semi-final, remembered by Hope Solo’s postgame barbs, but should remembered for Brazil’s brilliant performance in defeat to the mighty American team. But there is also potential for a repeat of the 2008 Olympic final, in which a resolute American team – possibly a serious underdog for the only time in its history – kept Brazil at bay.

But attendance at this tournament was disappointing and the broadcasts have been canceled on Paramount Plus. That’s too bad. This is compelling stuff.

Whether you’re watching or just looking for updates, thanks for joining us for the finale of an amazing event with more subplots than the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Beau will be visiting soon. In the meantime, here’s an interview with Racheal Kundananji, the world’s most expensive women’s soccer player:

The pressure is on and Racheal Kundananji does not deny this. The Zambian forward became the most expensive female player ever last month when she joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $788,000 (£620,000) and she is still just 23 years old. It’s a lot to take in.

“There is so much pressure on me (due to the world record transfer fee), but I just have to calm down, concentrate on my work and keep playing football,” the striker told The Guardian from Ndola.

“This is not the end. It’s just the beginning. The fans’ expectations will be so high and the opponents won’t be so friendly to me. That’s why there’s so much pressure now.”

Bay City, the extension organization of the National Women’s Soccer League based in San Jose, is co-founded by four U.S. Women’s National Team legends: Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton and Leslie Osborne, in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street. They will play their first NWSL match against Angel City in Los Angeles on March 16.

The road to the top hasn’t always been easy for the former 800m and 1500m middle-distance runner, but she has gained knowledge and experience at every turn. Kundananji, the second of five children, was raised by a mother she describes as tough.

You can read the full interview below: