Lindsey Horan scored with a header in first-half stoppage time and the United States defeated Brazil 1-0 on Sunday to win the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup.
The United States lifted the trophy despite being surprised by a defeat to Mexico in the group stage of the tournament. It was the first women’s Gold Cup, and the event was created to provide more meaningful competition for teams in the region.
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It was the fourth time the United States faced Brazil in a tournament final. The Americans won the previous three, including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
The match drew a sellout crowd of 31,528 to Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, a record attendance for a Concacaf women’s match.
Horan scored just after stoppage time with a header from a well-placed cross from Emily Fox. It was Horan’s third goal of the tournament, her previous goals coming from the penalty spot.
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 surprised by a 2-0 loss to Mexico in the group stage of the tournament – only the Americans’ second loss in the teams’ 43-match series.
The Americans bounced back with a 3-0 win over Colombia in the quarterfinals before advancing to the final on penalties after a rain-soaked 2-2 draw – and a penalty shootout win – with Canada in the semifinals.
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 their earliest-ever World Cup exit.
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.
