JUST ONE MOMENT
U.S. shakes off storm clouds, gets its mojo back with win over Brazil for W Gold Cup title
SAN DIEGO >> 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 night 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