Lindsay Horan's header in first-half stoppage time was all the women's national team needed to beat Brazil 1-0 in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup final in front of a crowd of 31,528 at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday. It turned out to be the goal.
Brazil controlled the tempo for much of the first half, but the Americans had two of their best chances after switching to pressing late. The first was when Alex Morgan got behind the defense and realized he only had a goalkeeper to beat, but Luciana charged down from his line and interrupted the play. The second goal came late in the second half when Rose Lovell's corner kick bounced dangerously close to the box and was scooped up by the Brazilian keeper.
Horan finally found the back of the net in stoppage time, charging toward the edge of the six-yard box and weaving between Brazilian defenders Antonia and Gabi Portillo to slot home Emily Fox's cross.
It was the American captain's third goal of the tournament, but his first since the start of the game. It was the second goal Brazil conceded in six Gold Cup games.
Second-half substitute Lynn Williams appeared to cut the lead to two points in the 79th minute when he fired a shot at the far post after a turnover deep in Brazil's own half. However, she was offside on the play.
The victory was Team USA's seventh straight victory over Brazil and fourth in the tournament finals. All four wins were by one goal.
