SAN DIEGO (AP) — Lindsay Horan scored 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 hoisted the trophy despite losing to Mexico in the group stage of the tournament. This was the first Women's Gold Cup, created to bring more meaningful competition to teams in the region.
“It was a difficult game. Brazil challenged us in a different way,” Horan said. “I’m really, really proud that we found a way to score and finish the game and win the trophy.”
This will be the fourth time the United States will face Brazil in the tournament finals. The United States has also won the last three Olympics, including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
The game drew a crowd of 31,528 to San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium, a record crowd for a CONCACAF women's game.
Horan scored just moments before second-half stoppage time with a header off a lofted pass from Emily Fox. It was Horan's third goal of the tournament, his previous goal coming from the penalty spot.
Lynn Williams almost scored America's second goal in the 79th minute, but the play was offside. Casey Kruger headed home Brazil's dangerous cross in the final moments of the game.
Brazil outscored the U.S. 12-7 and looked like the more dominant team at times.
“It's not always a pretty game, but this was one where we just fought our way through,” defenseman Crystal Dunn said. “We got the job done and that's the most important thing.”
America was furious Lost to Mexico 0-2 in the group stage — Second loss in the 43-game series.
The United States bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Colombia in the quarterfinals, but after a rain-soaked 2-2 draw with Canada in the semifinals, they advanced to the finals in a penalty shootout.
“It was a crazy tournament, but we finished strong,” forward Alex Morgan said. “That was important. So many players are going to be so successful.”
Brazil, one of four CONMEBOL teams competing in the tournament, had won each of their five matches in the tournament, including a 3-0 victory over Mexico in the semi-finals, scoring 15 goals.
The Brazilian team conceded just two goals in total in the team's first official tournament under coach Arthur Elias, who took over from coach Pia Sundage. Brazil missed out on the group stage elimination at the Women's World Cup in the summer.
After the match, Elias said through an interpreter, “The American players are very strong physically. I think they had a great performance during the match.'' “We had chances to score goals today. The United States had some strengths that we were able to hold off, but they were also very well prepared to play against our team today.”
Similarly, the United States was playing its first tournament under interim coach Twila Kilgore, who took over after the United States parted ways with coach Vlatko Andonovski. Following the team's early exit from the World Cup.
The United States hired Emma Hayes to coach the team, but she will finish the season with Chelsea in the Women's Super League.
“I’m really happy for the team,” Kilgore said. “This is a team and a program where there's always a lot of attention and expectations. We always say pressure is a privilege, and it really is, but actually going down the road is another thing.”
Brazil and the United States have both qualified for this summer's Olympics in France.
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