The Sporting News is following the USA vs. Brazil match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
The U.S. women enter Sunday’s final against Brazil as battle tested as they’ve been in years as they hunt for the first-ever W Gold Cup title in San Diego.
An embarrassing defeat to Mexico to close out the group stage brought back terrible memories of the 2023 Women’s World Cup humiliation, but interim head coach Twila Kilgore has led a remarkable turnaround that provides a glimmer of hope for a return to their place atop the global pecking order.
The U.S. clobbered a physical Colombia side before outlasting their biggest continental rival Canada in a 2-2 thriller that went to penalties. There have been heroes up and down the squad in this competition, fostering a togetherness that two weeks ago felt out of reach.
Earning the trophy won’t be an easy task, as the USWNT is now charged with matching up against a talented Brazil squad that has pulverized everyone in its path throughout the tournament, winning its five matches by a combined 15-1 to this point.
USA vs Brazil live score
| |
Score |
Goal scorers |
| USA |
– |
– |
| Brazil |
– |
– |
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT
Location: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, CA)
Referee:
Starting lineups:
USA (4-4-2 diamond, right to left): 1. Naeher (GK) — 23. Fox, 12. Davidson, 4. Girma, 19. Dunn — 10. Horan, 17. Coffey, 16. Lavelle, 15. Albert — 22. Rodman, 7. Morgan.
Brazil (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Luciana (GK) — 2. Antonia, 3. Tarcianne, 5. Ferreira — 20. Sampaio, 21. Santos, 6. Ribiero, 11. Leal — 10. Beatriz, 9. Nunes, 18. Portilho.
USA vs Brazil live updates, highlights, commentary
30 mins to kickoff: This will be the fourth all-time matchup between these two national teams in finals alone. The U.S. has won each of the previous three, all by a one-goal margin.
In fact, the first of these meetings was in the 2000 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup final, in which a 44th minute goal from Tiffeny Milbrett was enough to give the U.S. a 1-0 victory in Foxboro, MA. They also met in the 2004 Olympics gold medal match in Athens, a 2-1 win for the USWNT thanks to a 122nd minute winner by Abby Wambach.
Most recently, the U.S won a 1-0 victory in the 2008 Olympics as a 96th minute goal by Carli Lloyd secured the gold medal for the United States.
45 mins to kickoff: There’s a big call for Brazil too, as head coach Arthur Elias chooses to bench veteran forward Debinha, with Gabi Nunes given the start up front. Nunes plays for Levante in Spain, with seven goals and three assists in 18 top flight games this season.
It’s fitting, too, because today is Nunes’ birthday, she turns 27 on the day of the final!
1 hour to kickoff: The U.S. lineup is in! It’s a big call from Twila Kilgore as young breakout star Jaedyn Shaw is benched as the USWNT go with four midfielders.
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Brazil has conceded one goal the entire W Gold Cup tournament, but they suffered a massive blow ahead of the final against the U.S. The side’s most experienced defender, Rafaelle, will miss the match after fracturing her left foot during the semifinal win over Mexico.
That could mean a bigtime spot start for 21-year-old defender Laruen, who signed with the Kansas City Current last year and has yet to break into the first team squad.
1 hour 45 mins to kick: After finally returning from nearly two years on the sidelines with an ACL injury, Catarina Macario is thriving since her comeback for Chelsea. She scored off the bench in her debut for the club a week ago, and did the same in another substitute appearance today in the Women’s FA Cup.
The USWNT are enjoying a few breakout performances from forwards in this W Gold Cup, but what a massive boost an in-form Cat Macario would be in this summer’s Olympics if she can prove her value to the squad. They are in desperate need of a true No. 9, and while that’s not her best position, she’s proving capable in that spot. The possibility of Macario proving ready for an Olympic roster spot appears more and more likely each time she finds the back of the net.
2 hours to kickoff: In Wednesday’s mudbath, Alyssa Naeher cemented her place amongst USWNT goalkeeping lore with her penalty-shootout heroics, not only saving three Canadian efforts but also scoring one herself in a legendary performance.
Having already earned her 100th international cap in the win over Colombia days earlier, Naeher was the talk of the town after the game, as Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan were amazed with her starring role. “She was a hero tonight,” Smith said of the U.S. goalkeeper.
Who will be the hero against Brazil? If the U.S. is to take home the silverware, they’ll need at least one player to step up into that role.
USA vs Brazil lineups, team news
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore has upended the natural order of the USWNT starting lineup, using some of the team’s most popular regulars like Sophia Smith, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett as impact subs through the quarterfinals and semifinals to great effect.
Instead, Jaedyn Shaw has been prolific in a starting role, while Korbin Albert and Sam Coffey have been the ones to start in midfield. The center-back pairing of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson has been solid, but Emily Fox struggled defensively against Canada.
USA starting lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Naeher (GK) — Fox, Davidson, Girma, Dunn — Horan, Coffey, Lavelle, Albert — Rodman, Morgan.
USA subs (11): Murphy (GK), Campbell (GK), Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Nighswonger, Krueger, Sonnett, L. Williams, Purce, Moultrie, Shaw.
Other than the recent retirement of Marta, all other Brazilian veterans are still producing at a high level. Most notably, striker Debinha is going strong at 32 years old, supported by a host of quality attacking talent.
Her club teammate at KC Current, Bia Zaneratto, also sports over 100 international caps and comes off the bench. Manchester United’s 25-year-old forward Geyse has also made an impact as a substitute, but Orlando Pride defender Rafaelle will miss this match due to a fractured foot, which is a major blow to Brazil’s stout defense.
Brazil starting lineup (3-4-3): Luciana (GK) — Antonia, Tarcianne, Ferreira — Sampaio, Santos, Ribiero, Leal — Beatriz, Debinha, Portilho.
Brazil subs (11): Amanda (GK), Yasmim, Bia Menezes, Ary, Bianchi, Milene, Duda Santos, Vitoria, Zaneratto, Geyse, A. Gomes.
How to watch USA vs Brazil
- Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT
- TV (English): None
- Streaming (English): Paramount+
- TV (Spanish): ESPN Deportes
- Streaming (Spanish): Fubo, ESPN+, WatchESPN
The English-language broadcast rights in the USA to the entire 2024 W Gold Cup are owned by CBS Sports, who are streaming every match exclusively on Paramount+ including the final between USA and Brazil.
There is also a Spanish-language broadcast on ESPN Deportes, which can be streamed on Fubo, who offer a free trial for new users. This can also be streamed on ESPN+ or WatchESPN.
