They dropped their first game, hardly an auspicious start for a country that had lost only one other in three Olympics. But bit by bit, game by game, they came together, figuring out what it would take to win.
On Thursday night, the U.S. women’s soccer team stood as one, Olympic gold medals around their necks, champions once again.
“Vindicated? I feel great, I feel amazing. I just won a gold medal,” said goalkeeper Hope Solo, whose banishment at last year’s World Cup symbolizes the struggles these Americans have had and without whom they wouldn’t have won this game.
Solo made save after save to keep the United States in the game, and Carli Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of extra time to give the United States a 1-0 victory over Brazil and the gold medal for a third time in four Olympics.
It was the first victory in a major tournament for new coach Pia Sundhage, who took over less than nine months ago.
“It was hard, and this win wasn’t just down to my goal,” Lloyd said. “It was only achievable with the team we have and that we played for each other.”
United now, the Americans were ripped apart at last year’s World Cup, also in China.
Though Solo had allowed only two goals in four World Cup starts and had a shutout streak of nearly 300 minutes going, then-coach Greg Ryan decided to sit her for the semifinal against Brazil and play veteran Briana Scurry. The move was a disaster, and the United States - a favorite to win the tournament - was humbled 4-0, its worst loss ever at a World Cup.
Solo lashed out at Ryan, and was banished. A month later, Ryan was fired.
“I went through hell. A lot of people did,” Solo said. “But I feel stronger in the end. I know it sounds crazy, but I’m glad I went though it. I learned a lot about myself.”
The Americans were outclassed for much of the game by Brazil’s dazzling speed and control, but Solo kept them in the game, making at least a half-dozen big saves. In the 31st minute, Lloyd lost a ball to Formiga, who passed to Cristiane. Cristiane was the tournament’s leading scorer, and she ran full-speed looking for another. But Solo came off her line and dove at Cristiane’s feet to collect the ball, upending the Brazilian in the process.
Even more impressive was Solo’s save in the 72nd minute, when Marta lost the ball behind Heather Mitts and Kate Markgraf and then picked it back up for a close-range shot that looked certain to be in. But Solo leaned out, threw up her right arm and sent the ball flying out of harm’s way.
“I think I was leaning to my left waiting to dive to the left because the whole goal was open,” Solo said. “And she ended up going right, and I luckily kept some of my weight on the right.”
Said Marta: “I don’t understand why the ball wouldn’t go in. In so many games before we were able to score easily, but today it wasn’t the case.”
The rest of the Americans picked up the slack in the last five minutes of regulation, nearly scoring three times - twice in the 86th minute alone.
Then, in extra time, Amy Rodriguez held off two Brazilians and put the ball up for Lloyd who gave it a light touch with her right foot and then left-footed it from a yard outside the area. Barbara dived, but the ball scooted past her and settled in the far bottom corner of the net.
“I just knew that I had to keep it low, strike it hard and it went in,” Lloyd said.
Marta did everything she could to draw the Brazilians even. In the 102nd minute, she was tackled by Mitts and then, after getting the ball back, was blocked first by Markgraf and then by Christie Rampone. In the second extra period, she tried to bend in a corner a few minutes later only to watch Solo punch it free. Renata Costa collected the rebound, but her shot banged into the side of the net.
Shortly after, Marta looped in a free kick, but none of her teammates went for it, and the ball bounced over the scrum and wide of the far post.
With just seconds left, Cristiane’s header went wide.
The Americans began to celebrate, champions once more, whole once again.
“Brazil is a fantastic team, and they have many great individuals,” Markgraf said. “But they didn’t put away their chances tonight. We had one.”
