MIAMI, March 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) – The Queens of North and South America women’s soccer conflict on Sunday as the United States face Brazil in the remaining of the CONCACAF women’s Gold Cup.
The USA, four-times World Cup winners and four-times Olympic champions, have lengthy dominated the recreation in North America however have regarded more and more prone in the previous two years.
After their shock exit in the round-of-16 at the World Cup final year, the crew is present process a partial rebuild beforehand of new teach Emma Hayes taking over in June in time for the Paris Olympics.
With meantime head educate Twila Kilgore in cost for this tournament, the USA misplaced to Mexico in their last team stage recreation and solely scraped previous Canada on penalties in Wednesday’s rain-drenched semi-final.
While Brazil’s World Cup and Olympic document is extra modest, they have gained eight of the 9 Copa America tournaments they have entered and have impressed in the Gold Cup.
After prevailing all three of their team stage encounters, they beat Argentina 5-1 in the quarters earlier than despatching Mexico 3-0.
– Creative capability 
Those performances have the USA nicely conscious that they can take nothing for granted at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
“I suppose they’re a crew with a lot of flair, with a lot of innovative ability, with a ton of technical ability,” stated USA midfielder Sam Coffey.
“I suppose they additionally play with a lot of passion, a lot of fire. I suppose they have it greater so than any different opponent we have performed to this point…we’re excited to face up towards (them),” she added.
Goals have not been tough to locate for the Brazilians who have scored 15 in 5 fits so a ways whilst conceding simply as soon as and eleven exclusive gamers have observed the target.
Forward Bia Zaneratto, who these days joined Kansas City in the US-based NWSL, is the essential attacking danger alongside with Spain-based Gabi Nunes, however Brazil’s fluid strategy makes them a elaborate opponent to neutralise.
“We’re now not simply searching at one or two players. We have to be organized for all people or some thing or any lineup,” stated USA defender Naomi Girma.
“While we, of course, admire and apprehend so a good deal of their character talent, we have to put together for them as a crew holistically – and it’s eleven gamers on the field,” she added.
The USA deliberate to use this match to provide possibilities to some of their youthful brain however accidents supposed that 34-year-old Alex Morgan used to be recalled and she has spoke back with two desires and some sturdy displays.
But after the trauma of their exit on penalties to Sweden at the World Cup, their victory through the identical technique in opposition to Canada, after the recreation on a close to water-logged pitch ended 2-2 after extra-time, regarded to be a cathartic experience.
“I suppose the largest issue that we’ve got taken away is simply like how battle-tested we are,” stated Coffey.
“I suppose we are in the great role we ought to perchance be in going into this ultimate due to the fact we are battle-tested from exceptional opponents, from unique weather, from all varieties of distinct factors, and I suppose going ahead that simply places us in a role the place we’ve got been thru the furnace and we’ve got come out stronger,” she added.
“Sometimes it is been challenging like post-Mexico (defeat), however I suppose we’ve got viewed just so many special eventualities and conditions this event and have been higher due to the fact of it,” she said.