The USA women’ soccer squad went into the Paris Summer Olympic Games as the prohibitive favorite to win the gold medal. They will take the pitch against Brazil as the prohibitive favorites to win the gold medal match.
It’s nothing new to them. However, at this Olympiad, the Americans came into the competition with additional motivation beyond having the usual target on their backs. They arrived looking to avenge their failure at the last Olympiad in Tokyo, where they settled for a bronze medal. Setting out on a mission from Day 1 of the competition, it’s been showing in the results.
Oddsmakers are expecting the USA to deliver on that promise. Preparing to face Brazil in Saturday’s gold medal match, the Americans are being established by Bovada as even money favorites in the betting lines for the match.
Studying the betting lines on the Olympic women’s soccer gold medal match, there are a number of variables to be looking into before finally making a bet on the game. Past performances are a key analytic. Assess the records of both clubs in both side-by-side and head-to-head comparisons to check if there are any intriguing statistics that are suggesting a significant advantage for one team.
Looking at other comparables, including common opponents they have faced during the tournament, is another important element. Check the latest injury reports and suspension lists to see if any key players might be missing the gold medal match.
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Yes, the USA got to the gold medal match, but the Americans had to battle for it. Facing Germany in the semifinals, it was a tally by Sophia Smith five minutes into extra time that finally sent them forward via a 1-0 victory. It was a much tighter conclusion than the 4-1 victory the Americans fashioned over the Germans in group stage play.
The outcome was delivered exactly one year to the day of another major US women’s soccer disappointment. They made a round of 16 exit at the last women’s World Cup.
A similar result was posted by the USA in the quarterfinals. The Americans were edging Japan 1-0 on an extra-time goal from Trinity Rodman.
Facing the reigning World Cup champions from Spain and without suspended scoring legend Marta, Brazil was producing an offensive explosion. Racing to a 3-0 lead, the Brazilians were able to hold off a fierce Spanish rally to get through to the final.
The lowest seed entering the knockout stage of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament, Brazil continues to defy the odds. They’d lost 2-0 to the Spaniards during group stage competition.
Spain came into the semifinals with an unbeaten record. The outburst of goals was surprising from a Brazilian side that emphasizes defense and has been accused of playing negative soccer by opponents. Brazil had scored just three goals in the entire tournament leading into the semifinals.
If this match was merely determined by the form charts, the outcome would be obvious. Everything points to a USA victory over Brazil in the gold medal match.
The Americans have won the gold medal in five of the six prior Olympic women’s soccer tournaments. Those victories are including wins over Brazil in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic gold medal game.
Brazil will be getting Marta back for the final. The 38-year-old striker was suspended for Brazil’s quarterfinal and semifinal matches after being assessed a straight red card in the country’s final group stage match.
Marta will be retiring from international soccer following the Olympic Games. She was part of those Brazilian silver medal sides in 2004 and 2008, so this will be her last chance at Olympic gold.
Still, it won’t be enough. Not only are the Americans the deeper, more talented squad, they are also motivated to make up for their failure at the last Olympiad. In March, the USA beat Brazil 1-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final and they will repeat that success in Paris.
