The U.S. women’s national team dropped into an exhausted and joyous heap on the pitch of Parc des Princes, tears flowing after defeating Brazil 1–0 to claim its first gold medal since 2012. Coach Emma Hayes warned that Saturday’s Olympic final wouldn’t be pretty. And ugly it was, with the USWNT gutting out a victory behind a brilliant goal from Mallory Swanson. Contending with heavy legs, bogged down by six games in 16 days and a limited rotation, the U.S. had to dig deep against an energized, Marta-led Brazilian side. For Hayes, overcoming fatigue—and all that comes with it—was all part of the plan.
“I want them to suffer,” Hayes said ahead of the gold-medal match. “I want them to have that moment because I do not believe you can win without it.”
