Emma Hayes leads USWNT back to familiar territory with Olympic football gold

Emma Hayes is off to a roaring start to life as the manager of the US women’s national soccer team after the Americans claimed the Olympic title with a 1-0 victory over Brazil on Saturday.

Mallory Swanson’s cool second-half finish sealed the game for the US.

Hayes took over the USWNT after they had crashed out of last year’s World Cup in the last 16. The team have looked revitalized under the Englishwoman and won all five of their games coming into Saturday’s final, although the last two of those came in extra-time.

“I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position,” said Hayes after the game. “I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who pushed me to this point to be able to come and coach an unbelievable group of players that have received me so well and taken on board everything I have asked. They are tremendous people and players and role models. Yeah, I love them.”

The victory also marks the fifth Olympic gold for the US in women’s soccer, and their first since 2012.

Marta, Brazil’s brilliant captain who was almost certainly playing in her final major tournament, had to settle for silver. Despite one of the greatest careers in women’s football history, she has never won a World Cup or Olympic title.

Brazil had chances but were foiled on several occasions by US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, including a one-handed save from Adriana deep into stoppage time.

Full story to follow …