USWNT Win Medal Gold in Paris!

PARIS, France – Colorado’s Mallory Swanson will depart the French capital not only with a so sought-after Olympic gold medal, but also in very good company within U.S. Soccer’s ever-evolving history book.

In the 56th minute of intense championship play with Brazil, Swanson delivered an awe-striking goal. Her score, the only one in a rumble between North and South America’s best-of-class, glorious complements gold medal-winning goals by Abby Wambach in the 2004 Olympics and Carli Lloyd’s in the 2008 Games. 

Swanson had at least a half-dozen shots early on Brazil’s keeper that just missed their objective. Finally, early in the second half, she broke free from her midfield mark and galloped into the corral along with Sophia Smith. All while being pressured, she confidently maintained control of the ball and neatly placed the ball into the back of the net.

Swanson, who was worthy of being crowned come-back-player of the decade, delivered before nearly 44,000 fervent on-site fans and tens of millions of gung-ho-for-America viewers streaming the match on every imaginable platform around the world. In recent years, the lionhearted product of Real Colorado’s elite player development program has overcome multiple setbacks, surgeries, and related infections. Today, in Parc des Princes Stadium, she vaulted from the agony of near defeat, to the thrill of international victory.

Winger Trinity Rodman shared her emotions and  perspectives with members of the media, “I’m so happy for Mal. Her alone made me cry to see what she’s been through to be here. I was emotional for others as well as myself, but it was just everything. I’m so happy.”

Swanson added, “I don’t think I’ve processed it yet. It’ll probably hit in a couple days when I’m on my flight back home what happened. I’m just so thankful that I was able to do it with this group.” Her sidekick Smith was even more concise, “It’s a dream come true and the best feeling ever. A relief.”

Ahead of the game, her 100th cap in a short-run career on the women’s senior team, Swanson spoke about a message that she received from her girlfriend,  “One of my good friends on my team growing up, she texted me the other day saying, ‘Remember we watched the women’s national team in 2012 … win the gold at Buffalo Wild Wings?'” Swanson was then 14-years-old when she was dining and cheering on Team USA. “It’s kind of crazy that I have a chance to do so. But yeah, I think that kind of full circle moment was pretty cool.”

Swanson became the ninth player in USWNT history to score while earning her 100th cap. The first to do so since Lindsey Horan scored against New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics. She is the 44th player in USWNT history to reach 100 international appearances and at 26-years-old, she’s the youngest player to reach the century mark since 25-year-old Amy Rodriguez achieved the feat in 2012. 

In addition to Swanson’s triumph on the attacking half of the field, much praise needs to be cast on goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Once again, she was invincible in front of America’s frame. In the waning minutes of the second half, the 5′ 9″ Connecticut native sprung up from her standing position and made a jaw-dropping, one-handed save to preserve her clean sheet.

The U.S. Women’s National Team now has earned five Olympic gold medals, four more than any other nation in Olympic Women’s Soccer history. 

The USA is now 5W-1L-0D all-time in Olympic Gold Medal matches.

Post-game, America’s skipper Emma Hayes, Is choked up all, summed up the victory and her appreciation for what the United States has afforded her.

The end-all game was only her 10th while at the helm of this transformed and entertaining team.

The Lady Yanks will kick off a celebratory tour in America in a matter of months. They will play Iceland on October 24 in Austin, Texas and October 27 in Nashville, Tennessee. On October 30th, they will host Argentina in Louisville, Kentucky.

Until then, emote, celebrate, and savor this long overdue result.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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