Those rumors about the decay of the U.S. Women’s National Team? Those can hit the showers. All that head shaking about the turbulence during the transition between the old and new guards?
Save some soap for that, too.
The U.S. quieted the disquiet with its run to the gold at the Concacaf W Gold Cup, polishing off Brazil 1-0 on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium.
“This is a group that’s moving forward together, that wants more time together,” U.S interim coach Twila Kilgore said. “… This is a group that’s just getting started.”
You understood the concern. The Americans made the earliest exit ever at the most recent World Cup, a deflator of the highest order. They lost to Mexico 2-0 with a stunning one shot on goal to cap the Gold Cup group stage — just the second loss to the country in 43 all-time meetings.
The most dominant team on the planet the last decade suddenly appeared shaky, uncertain and trending in the direction of telephone land lines.
Then came Gold Cup proving time.
The U.S. stoned Paris Olympics qualifier Colombia 3-0. It survived the Snapdragon swamp Friday to punch out Canada on penalty kicks. In stepped Brazil, its third Olympic-level test in three matches, to show the skill and grit remain.
Though all of it promises nothing about the future, the present quickly seems as bright as a San Diego sunset.
“The key is to be in the moment,” Kilgore said. “Put the outside noise aside … We have to believe in what we do.”
Early in the match, Brazil dominated. Possession. Scoring chances. Momentum. Mojo.
The Americans, though, absorbed the punches as the back line led by San Diego Wave FC star Naomi Girma did not allow pressure to translate to pain.
Then, seconds into stoppage time, as things headed toward a halftime push, a magical combination came together.
Emily Fox booted a long cross that mimicked a chip shot in golf, clearing the defense to the far side of the goal. Waiting was Lindsey Horan, who angled airborne for a perfect header in the opposite corner of the net.
In a half where Brazil dominated the feel of things, the Americans only needed one moment.
“The timing of our goal was really critical, right before half,” Kilgore said.
The big-game margin always has been slim between the countries. The U.S. won the previous three event final matchups, always by a single goal. A play here. A moment there.
And it clearly seemed as if the Americans had slipped or at least planted a foot on a banana peel.
The U.S. run before the question marks had been astounding. It won the 2015 and ’19 World Cups and three Olympic golds since 2004. It won bronze in the last Olympics, losing by a single goal to eventual champion Canada.
The stars and stripes were the summit that had to be climbed.
When fresh concerns arrived, the U.S. found enough cohesion and click to answer. Walking off a winner in San Diego translates to traction and confidence.
“We say that pressure is a privilege, and it is,” Kilgore said. “But it’s another thing to walk the walk. … We’re working toward something together. It’s a public process and it’s just not easy.”
The U.S. nearly doubled the lead in the 79th minute as Lynn Williams sprinted behind the defense, but an apparent goal was waved off when it was ruled she was offside.
A Snapdragon crowd of 31,528 fans roared. Then it groaned. The big-picture test required a few more questions.
That old and new? It finally appears to be taking shape. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is 35, Wave icon Alex Morgan is 34, Casey Krueger is 33 and Rose Lavelle is 28.
Girma and NWSL star Sophia Smith are 23. Trinity Rodman? A spry 21. Even younger: Korbin Albert, 21. Younger still: Wave lightening bolt Jaedyn Shaw, 19.
The came together enough to overcome Brazil’s advantages for possession (56.5 to 43.5), shots on goal (11-7) and fouls, with nearly twice as many.
“I think what you’re calling resilience we call grit,” Kilgore said in response to a question. “… Grit is a big part of our DNA and who we are.”
In less than five months, the Olympics await. So do Spain, , and a fresh batch of expectations to bear hug or trip upon.
“That’s interesting word use, punctuating the work we did,” said Kilgore, piggy-backing a question. “(We wanted to win tonight) to validate the work we did coming into the tournament.
“… They’re not done yet. They’re not done yet.”
It’s hard to argue that.
