The United States Women's national team (USWNT) has secured their fourth She Believes trophy in a row and sixth in total with a 2-1 victory over Brazil at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas in front of 17,784 fans.
Alex Morgan, along with Chicago Red Stars forward and competition MVP Mallory Swanson scored for the U.S. before Atletico Madrid forward Ludmila came off the bench to score a late consolation goal for the Brazilians.
The USWNT made six changes from the lineup that started in their previous match against Japan, including the return of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Crystal Dunn, and midfielder Rose Lavelle.
WE LOVE A TROPHY LIFT pic.twitter.com/xAT2qtNrDK
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
The match began with high energy, with the USWNT creating the first moment of danger in the fourth minute through Dunn's quick blast that deflected off a Brazil defender before hitting the post. Brazil's Debinha forced Naeher into a save minutes later. Against the run of play, Brazil's Kerolin nearly scored on a counter-attack.
The USWNT's press created a turnover inside Brazil's half in the 45th minute, and Alex Morgan scored after picking up the rebound from a blocked shot and curling a left-footed shot inside the left post right on the half-time whistle.
Brazil nearly responded early in the second half, with Adriana hitting the crossbar. The game remained on a knife edge, with Morgan's 52nd-minute creative heel flick nearly redirecting a Mallory Swanson cross into the top left corner of the goal.
No doubt about it. @MalPugh is YOUR 2023 @Visa #SheBelievesCup MVP! pic.twitter.com/9stKeSpIWM
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 23, 2023
In the 63rd minute, Swanson capped off another quality U.S. press and countered with what proved to be the game-winning goal. Her fourth goal of the tournament not only provided the final margin but made her the first player to score in every game of a single SheBelieves Cup and made her the competition's all-time leading scorer with eight goals.
Ludmila scored a late goal for Brazil, nodding in a cross at the back post, but it was all for nothing as the USWNT claimed their third consecutive She Believes trophy and their seventh win in their last eight matches in the competition.
The Gals will now prepare for the 2023 Women's World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.