US and Brazil women’s soccer teams capture CONCACAF and Copa America titles
The United States and Brazil women’s national teams kept a stranglehold in their continental championships.
By winning the CONCACAF W Championship in Monterrey, México, and the Copa América in Colombia, both secured spots in the 2023 World Cup and also the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The U.S. outscored their opponents 13-0 and secured the title with a 1-0 victory over rival Canada. Alex Morgan scored the lone goal in the final, converting a penalty.
The game was a rematch of the Olympic semifinal a year ago in Tokyo. Canada edged the U.S. 1-0 on a late penalty kick to advance to the final, its first victory over the Americans in 20 years.
The U.S. has changed since the Olympics, and Morgan is now one of the older players on the roster surrounded by up-and-coming talent like forward Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh.
Brazil defeated 1-0 host Colombia in the Copa America final. That win was also secured thanks to a penalty, converted by Debinha. Under Swedish coach Pia Sundhage, the “Canarinha” went unbeaten, scoring 20 goals without conceding.
Brazil's players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the women's Copa America final soccer match against Colombia in Bucaramanga, Colombia, Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Brazil has won nine of the 10 editions of the Copa America, including four in a row. The exception was the 2006 tournament, won by Argentina at home.
For the first time, the Copa América champions received a prize of $1,5 million. The runners-up received 500,000.
Linda Caicedo, a 17-year-old striker from Colombia, became the sensation of the tournament and end it up winning the best player trophy.
Argentine striker Yamila Rodríguez, who displayed tattoos with the images of Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona, was the top scorer with six goals.
Also, players from Colombia and Paraguay were vocal when protesting the lack of support for women's soccer. The hosts raised their fists when the national anthem was played at their first match after it was announced their local league won't be playing the second half of the season due to a lack of clubs. Some teams had to pull out due to lack of financing.
Lead photo: Costa Rica's goalkeeper Noelia Bermudez and United States' Megan Rapinoe fight for the ball during a CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer semifinal match in Monterrey, Mexico, July 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Photos by Dolores Ochoa, Fernando Vergara and Fernando Llano
Text by Debora Rey