Eighteen USYS Alumnae Fuel Soccer Gold Medal Win at Paris Olympics
PARIS (Aug. 10, 2024) – The United States Women’s National Team added to its record number of soccer gold medals Saturday afternoon in Paris, earning its fifth in Olympic Games history with a 1-0 win over Brazil at the famed Parc des Princes. The victory marked the third time (2004 and 2008) the Stars and Stripes have beaten the Seleção in a gold medal match.
Two US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) alumnae – Korbin Albert and Mallory Swanson – combined to break the deadlock in the 57th minute, with Swanson’s fourth goal of the Olympics being her most important. Albert split the Brazilian defense with a pass that found Swanson and put her through on goal, with a clinical finish slotted in the far corner being the contest’s lone score.
The United States’ roster of 18 featured USYS heavily, with 17 of the players – including Albert and Swanson – as well as head coach Emma Hayes, having ties to the largest youth sport organization in the country.
US Youth Soccer Alumnae
Casey Murphy – Olympic Development Program and National Championship Series
Alyssa Naeher – Olympic Development Program
Emily Fox – National League and Olympic Development Program
Naomi Girma – Olympic Development Program
Casey Krueger – Olympic Development Program
Jenna Nighswonger – Olympic Development Program
Emily Sonnett – National League and Olympic Development Program
Korbin Albert – Olympic Development Program
Sam Coffey – Olympic Development Program
Lindsey Horan – Olympic Development Program
Rose Lavelle – National League and Olympic Development Program
Crystal Dunn – Olympic Development Program
Trinity Rodman – National Championship Series
Sophia Smith – Olympic Development Program
Mallory Swanson – Olympic Development Program
Jaedyn Shaw – National Championship Series
Lynn Williams – National Championship Series
Throughout its triumphant six-game run in Paris, the United States’ balanced roster – led by former regional USYS ODP coach Hayes – stood out on the world stage. Its defense, anchored by Olympic Development Program alumnae Naeher, Dunn, Girma, and Fox, earned four clean sheets, including one during every stage of the knockout rounds. With an impenetrable backline behind them, the United States’ front three of Rodman, Smith, and Swanson put the finishing touches on each opponent, with the US Youth Soccer alumnae combining for 10 goals during the event.
For Dunn, Naeher and Horan, the Paris Olympics marked their third time representing the Stars and Stripes at the Olympic Games after previously competing in Rio and Tokyo. Horan is the current team captain.