USWNT finds joy at the Paris Olympics under new coach Emma Hayes

PARIS (AP) — U.S. forward Mallory Swanson ran across the field to embrace goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher when it was all over, tears in her eyes.

It was a mixture of joy and relief. The U.S. women’s team had done it, won the gold medal at a rather eventful Paris Olympics.

The tournament started with Canada's drone-spying scandal. Women's World Cup winners Spain went home empty handed. Marta played in her last international tournament.

And the United States played with a joie de vivre in France under new coach Emma Hayes.

It was the record fifth Olympic gold medal for the United States, but first since 2012. The Americans had stumbled at last summer's World Cup with their worst-ever finish in the tournament. As a result, the United States dropped to No. 5 in the world rankings, it's lowest rank in history.

But Hayes, hired by U.S. Soccer to turn things around, led the team to an international title after only 10 games in person with the team. While she was hired in November, she opted to finish out her 12th season with Chelsea before heading stateside in late May.

The United States went undefeated in a journey across France that took them to Nice, Marseille, Lyon and Paris. In the final at Parc des Princes, they met Brazil, a team they had beaten for the gold medal in both the 2004 and 2008 Games.

As actor Tom Cruise, Vice President Kamala Harris' husband Doug Emhoff and former national team star Megan Rapinoe looked on, the U.S. survived a determined Brazil attack for a 1-0 victory.

Swanson scored the lone goal in the 57th minute, warning teammate Sophia Smith not to touch the ball because she was offside, then burying it herself.

Naeher preserved the victory with a one-handed stoppage time save on Adriana's header.

“We've got a special group. It's been really fun to be a part of,” Naeher said. “I think you saw the unity all tournament long and just that togetherness of this team. This team dug deep and fought hard all the way through.”

The team coalesced around its dynamic group of young forwards — Swanson, Smith and Trinity Rodman — who collectively scored 10 of the team's 12 goals in France.

Brazil took home its third silver medal, with all three of its losses in the final match to the United States. It was the final international tournament for Marta, the six-time world player of the year who played in her first of six Olympics in 2004 at 18.

Germany, which won the gold in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, won the bronze medal in France with a 1-0 victory over Spain.

Before the tournament in France started, Canada was embroiled in a drone-spying scandal that garnered coach Bev Priestman a year-long ban.

New Zealand reported a drone hovering over practice, and authorities detained a Canadian staff member. But as the investigation widened, Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue suggested surveillance of opponents was systemic.

FIFA fined Canada Soccer, banned Priestman and docked the Canadian women six points in the group — a devastating blow.

But Canada won all of its group matches and eked out a spot in the knockout round before falling to Germany on a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in the quarterfinals.

“I can’t quite find the tears because I shed them all this past week,” Canada defender Vanessa Gilles said afterward. “So to have gotten this far, I think is a testament to our group.”

Marta didn't win a title in her last big tournament with Brazil, but she left the Olympics with gratitude for an illustrious career.

The fans at Parc des Princes understood the moment and gave Marta a standing ovation as she walked off the field.

“I look back and I remember everything I had to do. I left my family behind when I was 14 to chase the dream of playing football, a sport that hasn’t always been considered to be for women. And today things are very different, and we can say it’s one of the most popular sports, and it keeps growing," Marta said. "I can’t feel anything but pride at the moment.”

Spain went into the Olympics vying to become the first team to win an Olympic title after lifting a World Cup trophy.

Instead, Spain fell in a wild 4-2 semifinal loss to Brazil. Then Spanish star Alexia Putellas had her tying penalty attempt in stoppage time blocked by German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger for a loss in the bronze medal match.

“We’re leaving without the medal we dreamed of, and there’s nothing left to do but keep going, you’re not always going to win," forward Jenni Hermoso said. "This team still has a lot more to give. Neither when you win are you the best, nor when you lose are you the worst.”

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Brazil's Marta reacts during the women's soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Brazil's Marta, right, consoles a teammate during the medal ceremony after the women's soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Spain's Athenea Del Castillo reacts after missing a goal during the women's bronze medal soccer match between Spain and Germany, at the Lyon stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Decines, France. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Germany's Schueller Lea, left, and Germany's Kathrin Hendrich, right, celebrate after winning the women's bronze medal soccer match between Spain and Germany, at the Lyon stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Decines, France. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Canada's Jessie Fleming reacts on the ground during a women's quarterfinal soccer match between Canada and Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Marseille Stadium in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Canada players react after losing a women's quarterfinal soccer match between against Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Marseille Stadium in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Mallory Swanson of the United States, left is hugged by Lindsey Horan after Swanson scored her side's opening goal during the women's soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Brazil's Thais, left, looks on as Mallory Swanson, of the United States, right, goes for a header during the women's soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, of the United States, hugs Mallory Swanson, of the United States, as they celebrate after winning the gold medal at the end of the women's soccer match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

head coach Emma Hayes of the United States celebrates after defeating Brazil during the women's soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Oh, so this was what Atlanta expected out of $180 million lavished on Kirk Cousins.

Certainly not a shaky effort like the 36-year-old veteran had in the opener, raising concerns in the loss about the quarterback's return to form from a torn Achilles tendon.

Cousins down the stretch made all the clutch throws in Philadelphia his counterpart Jalen Hurts could not — and sent the Falcons home winners.

Cousins led a flawless last-minute drive for Atlanta and connected with Drake London for a 7-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left to give the Falcons a 22-21 victory over the Eagles on Monday night.

“He went out and played important in the biggest moments in the biggest times,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “Those are things you want to have happen when you have a chance to go out there and get wins. It was great to see today with Kirk Cousins.”

Saquon Barkley dropped a short pass that stopped the clock with 1:46 left and forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal instead of a game-sealing first down. That was plenty of time for Cousins — especially against an Eagles defense playing soft coverage with a nonexistent pass rush.

Cousins, playing his second game since tearing his Achilles tendon last Oct. 29 while playing for Minnesota, shook off an uneven effort and hit Darnell Mooney for 21 and 26 yards on consecutive plays during the decisive drive.

Cousins found London on a short pass to his right for the tying score, and Younghoe Koo put Atlanta (1-1) on top with a 48-yard extra point after London was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The go-ahead drive took just 65 seconds.

“We saved just enough time for those guys to go down and march down and get that game-winning touchdown,” Morris said.

Hurts had his final pass intercepted by Jessie Bates III to seal Atlanta’s win and set off a wild celebration on the sideline.

The Eagles (1-1) went ahead on Hurts' 1-yard tush push score with 6:47 left. Barkley finished with 95 yards on 22 carries in his home debut for Philadelphia, but his drop provided the Falcons with some hope.

And then Cousins started playing like the QB Atlanta thought it was getting when it signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract.

Cousins finished 20 of 29 for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Atlanta’s first TD was a 41-yarder from Cousins to Mooney, who finished with three catches for 88 yards.

Hurts was 23 of 30 for 183 yards, including a touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith. With No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown out with a hamstring injury, Smith led the Eagles with seven catches for 76 yards and a score.

Jake Elliott kicked two field goals for the Eagles. His 28-yarder with 1:39 left made it 21-15.

Atlanta kept stalling in the red zone, getting three field goals from Koo, before Cousins fired over the middle to Mooney, who shook loose from C.J. Gardner-Johnson and left him on the turf before he somersaulted into the end zone with 1:21 left in the third quarter for a 15-10 lead. Cousins failed on the 2-point conversion pass.

Hurts had some juice in his step during a second-quarter TD drive, running with abandon for big plays much like he did in the 2022 season. He spiked the ball in a rare, raw show of emotion on a 23-yard run, earning a delay-of-game penalty. He shrugged off the 5-yard setback and scrambled for 9 yards and 15 yards to move the Eagles to Atlanta’s 19.

With comedian Shane Gillis and actor Bradley Cooper among the fans cheering on the Eagles, Hurts connected with Smith in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard TD that made it 7-3.

Under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Eagles have established an early knack for allowing long drives that end with three points instead of seven. Koo kicked field goals of 39, 22 and 34 yards, the last one enough for a 9-7 lead in the third quarter. In their opener, the Eagles held the Packers to just three field goals when they drove inside the 20.

“They made a couple more plays than we did down the stretch. We made some plays; they made more,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “And that’s on all of us. That starts with coaching and goes to the players. We are all responsible for the loss.”

Rather than take a chip-shot field goal from Elliott, the Eagles’ fourth-and-4 gamble at Atlanta’s 9-yard line in the first quarter failed when Hurts threw an incomplete pass.

Elliott kicked a 29-yarder with 4:31 left in the third quarter for a 10-9 lead.

Bijan Robinson ran for 97 yards for the Falcons. The Eagles stuffed him late on fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 39.

Barkley was quiet until the go-ahead drive, a week after he rushed for 109 yards and scored three touchdowns against Green Bay. Eagles fans booed when the opening drive of the game ended without Barkley touching the ball. They went wild when he had consecutive 9-yard runs to open the second drive. Barkley had 40 yards rushing in the first half.

Former Eagles QB Nick Foles, who led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title, served as an honorary captain and led the crowd in a rendition of “Fly, Eagles, Fly.”

The Falcons played without LB Nate Landman (calf, quad).

Atlanta hosts Super Bowl champion Kansas City on Sunday.

The Eagles play at New Orleans on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) reacts to intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom (63) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Former Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, third from right, walks with Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon Graham, from left, Jordan Mailata and Darius Slay Jr. as they honor Foles' retirement before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is brought down during the first half of an NFL football game by Atlanta Falcons' Jessie Bates III, left, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts warms up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs past Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs past Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)