Like the arduous quarter-final win over Japan, this edgy victory was a reality check after the exuberant thrashings the US have doled out in the sunrise phase of the Emma Hayes era.
But a win will do, any which way – especially when it means the USWNT are in the Olympic final. A year to the day since one of their lowest ebbs, the loss on penalties to Sweden in the first knockout stage of the 2023 World Cup, a hard-fought and sometimes hard to watch 1-0 extra-time victory over Germany sent the US into Saturday’s final against Brazil, ensuring the Americans at least a silver medal.
