U.S. Women Withstand Withering Brazilian Attacks To Grab Olympic Gold

Brazilian attacks constantly threatened the U.S. goal. Below, Marta bedevils Kate Markgraf.
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AP Photo

Redemption for goalkeeper Hope Solo, revenge for the Americans and a delay in declaring a Brazilian women’s soccer dynasty as the U.S. tenaciously hung on to win 1-0 today in China over Brazil to win the gold medal.

Game story.

The box score tells the story – including 14 corner kicks for Brazil – of the Brazilian dominance.

Notable: Amy Rodriguez, who got the assist on the U.S. goal, became the first non-swimmer at USC to win an Olympic gold medal.

Quotable:
U.S. defender Kate Markgraf on whether she ever doubted the team would win the gold medal in light of all the adversity:

“I don’t think we ever doubted but we just didn’t think about it. Also, after the first game we had our backs against the wall and we had no choice but to fight. All 18 of us. There isn’t a star on this team, there are 18 great team players. That’s how we won tonight.”

Below, Natasha Kai, left, and Heather O’Reilly exult in the U.S. victory.
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AP Photo

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