The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) will play for Olympic gold for the first time since 2012 on Saturday back at the Parc des Princes after taking down a shorthanded German team 1-0 in extra time in Tuesday’s physical semifinal match in Lyon. The Americans will face the winner of the second semifinal this weekend in Paris between Brazil and reigning World Cup champion Spain, while Germany will stay in Lyon for the bronze medal match to be played the day prior.
It was a hard-fought and thrilling win for the USWNT, whose sole score came from Sophia Smith early in extra time off a pass from Mallory Swanson. Team USA’s talented front line again pulled through in the end while the defense held Germany scoreless for just the third time this year to avoid penalty kicks and keep the USWNT’s gold medal dreams alive.
All told, Smith, Swanson and Trinity Rodman now each boast three goals apiece this Olympic tournament. Icing on the cake: Smith and the USWNT will now compete for gold on her 24th birthday. There might not be a better present in the world for the young star than to celebrate atop the podium in Paris.
