How To Watch and Match Preview: USWNT vs. Brazil - Concacaf W Gold Cup Final - 03/10/2024

The U.S. women's national team and the Brazilian women's national team have a long history. Who can forget the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, when the U.S. topped Brazil for their third gold medal. In the history of women's soccer, the U.S. and Brazil have met up numerous times.

Once again, the Americans and Brazilians will be facing off in a tournament final. This time, the Concacaf W Gold Cup — the first-ever women's edition of the tournament. Four teams from South America were invited to compete in the Concacaf tournament, with Brazil punching their ticket to the final.

The championship match will be held at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, on March 10, with an 8:15 PM ET / 5:15 PM PST kickoff. The game will air on Paramount+ and in Spanish the game will feature on ESPN+, along with ESPN Deportes.

Scouting Report (USWNT): The U.S. played in what's been called on X the 'slip and slide' match on Wednesday night, taking down Canada after the match went to penalties. The U.S. has been making the decision to primarily start Alyssa Naeher in goal, which paid off after the veteran goalkeeper scored a penalty and made three saves against the Canadians. However, usually, she's not the one in net: Casey Murphy has become the U.S. no. 1. For her not to be starting in a Concacaf tournament is a head-scratcher. World Cup qualifying will be here before you know it.

On defense, the U.S. has been looking toward the future. Against Canada, the center-back duo of Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson was on full display, with Emily Fox and Gotham FC sophomore Jenna Nighswonger on the right and left, respectively. In the midfield, Sam Coffey found herself in the middle between Korbin Albert, the young phenom who plays club soccer with Paris Saint-Germain, and Lindsey Horan.

On the attack, teenager Jaedyn Shaw has been putting in overtime work. In fact, she has scored four goals in her four USWNT starts. She's not only the future for the U.S., but the present. She started alongside Trinity Rodman and Alex Morgan. Morgan was not originally on the U.S. roster, but a torn ACL sidelined Mia Fishel after a big season in England with Chelsea. Sophia Smith subbed on in the Canada match and scored in extra time, helping the Americans get to penalties.

Scouting Report (Brazil): Brazil entered the Concacaf W Championship with a splash. After two 1-0 victories over Puerto Rico and fellow CONMEBOL nation Colombia, the Brazilian put a major hurting on Panama, scoring five goals and keeping a clean sheet. Brazil also put up five goals against Argentina, their South American rival. In the semifinal, Brazil took down and blanked Mexico, 3-0.

Against Mexico, Brazil primarily featured in a 3-4-3 formation, with Luciana holding it down in goal. In their three-back defense, Brazil had Antônia, Tarciane and Rafaelle Souza lined up in front of goal. Antônia scored Brazil's second goal.

In the four-person midfield, Racing Louisville midfielder Ary Borges and Duda Santos featured centrally, while Adriana and Yasmim were positioned out on the wings. Adriana scored the first goal against Mexico, while Yasmim put the cherry on top with the third and final goal. On the attack, Debinha took over the No. 9 role, while Beatriz and Duda Sampaio were on her left and right.

Ahead of the Brazil match, U.S. midfielder Sam Coffey said that the Concacaf W Gold Cup has shown the USWNT how to adapt to different tests and how to come out of tough matches with a strong mentality.

"I think the biggest thing that we've taken away is how battle tested we are. That's been a big theme from the coaching staff, and what they're most proud of from us, coming out of these games," Coffey said. "We're in the best place we can be going into this final because we're battle tested from different opponents from different weather and all sort of different factors. Going forward, that puts us in a position where, we've been through the fire and we've come out stronger. That's what makes me excited about this team going forward. We've seen so many different things, but we've come out better and stronger."

The U.S. and Brazil will face off to be crowned the first-ever Concacaf W Gold Cup champion on March 10, at 8:15 PM EST / 5:15 PM PST.