USWNT vs Brazil Preview: Horan and Smith Determined to Finish on top

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – In the first-ever Concacaf W Gold Cup Championship match, the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) will attempt to best CONMEBOL’s Brazil side on Sunday evening

USWNT’s always eager and forward looking captain, Lindsey Horan, expressed herself this way after her team trumped Team Canada in a messy game, “I’m really excited to play them, but I’m also excited to play a game of football.”

The latter desire reflects the unexceptable playing conditions that Canada and America play in last Wednesday evening. Throughout the 120-plus minute game, rain fell like a monsoon in Panama. The deluges translated into a playing field that was more a wetland, instead of a soccer pitch. 

Horan’s attacking accomplice, Sophia Smith, said “The first 10, 15 minutes, we kept looking at the fourth referee to see if they were going to call it or not. They didn’t.”

Fortunately, no one was serious hurt and above all, the Lady Yanks won on PKs, 3-1, to advance to the championship match.

Brazil won its spot in Sunday’s finale by handing Mexico its first loss in 24 games under the tutelage of new coach Pedro López. Brazil shutdown Mexico’s offense and won 3-0.

According to U.S. Soccer’s extensive media library, the W Gold Cup final will be the 11th meeting between the foes since their all-out quarterfinal affray in the Women’s World Cup in 2011 that was played throughout Germany.

U.S. fans may recall the duel as one of the most memorable and dramatic matches in USWNT history. The Yanks outscored Brazil, 5-3, during a tense penalty kick shootout. 

The USA and Brazil have played 39 times total. The U.S. leads with 31W-5D-3L. The national teams last played in 2023, on the final match day of the annual SheBelieves Cup. The Americans topped Brazil 2-1 in regulation time.

The U.S. took the lead on a goal by Alex Morgan. Coloradan Mallory Swanson upped the lead in the 63rd when she delivered her fourth goal of the tournament. As a result, Swanson went on to win tournament MVP honors. 

Horan and Smith and their teammates are keen on ending this multi-week long tournament on a high note. Horan was rather pleased with the compelling resolve and mud-splattering labor that the team demonstrated. Everyone wearing red, white, and blue chipped in, including the rain drenched 12th man.

A reflective Horan proclaimed, “That’s back to that U.S. mentality that we’ve been talking about that we needed, and it’s in us. I think that’s what you guys saw today. It’s not a game that you’re going to play football… I don’t think there are more than a few completed passes on the ground! But the grit of getting a goal, the tie, getting another goal and then the penalty kicks and Alyssa coming up massive.”

The 6:15 p.m. MT match will broadcast in English on Paramount+ and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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