The U.S. women’s soccer team faces Brazil for the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Here’s how to watch – NBC Chicago
Details on how to watch Saturday’s game can be found below.
In the gold medal game of the women’s soccer tournament in Paris, the USA and Brazil will meet for their fifth Olympic gold medal.
The Americans previously faced Brazil in gold medal matches at the 2004 and 2008 Games, winning both tournaments. The two silver medals are the only medals Brazil has won to date.
The USA reached the final in France with a 1-0 extra-time win over Germany in Lyon, with Smith scoring the only goal. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final on Tuesday in Marseille, the Brazilians beat world champions Spain 4-2.
But the USA has not won gold since 2012 in London. At the Games in Rio de Janeiro, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals and had to settle for bronze three years ago in Tokyo.
Last summer, they were the defending champions, making their first World Cup exit in history. Since then, the Americans have fallen to fifth place in the FIFA rankings, the lowest the team has ever achieved.
Sophia Smith of Team USA scored the first and only goal of the semifinal in overtime. It was the second time in Olympic history that a women’s semifinal match was scoreless after 90 minutes.
“I’ve always said that our players should see our history as a privilege and something that can guide us,” said coach Emma Hayes. “But ultimately, I want us to forge our own path and I want to pave a path that is based on the values and ambitions of this current group.”
The team is playing with renewed enthusiasm and determination to restore American dominance. Before the tournament, the players were visited by the entire 1999 World Cup-winning team, the so-called 99ers, which included Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm. And then, in their free time in France, there are the team’s intramural karaoke battles.
How to watch the USA vs Brazil game
Those interested in watching the gold medal game between the teams can watch it Saturday starting at 10 a.m. CT on USA Network, Telemundo and Peacock.
The game will also be repeated on USA at 5 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
