New generation of US women begin quest for record fifth gold

The United States women's soccer team has won four golds at the Olympics since the sport's introduction in 1996, but it has not been on the top step of the podium in 12 years, with a record-extending fifth gold no longer a foregone conclusion.

Once the most dominant nation in women's soccer, reaching five consecutive Olympic finals, US teams have since fallen behind, as their European counterparts caught up with the famed American program and, in some cases, even surpassed it.

Germany won the 2016 gold while the US also had to watch on as its neighbor Canada, which beat it in the semifinals at the last edition in Tokyo, went on to claim that year's gold. But, the biggest reality check came at the women's World Cup last year.

Having never finished outside the top three at the World Cup, a US side that failed to impress was knocked out in the last-16 in 2023, marking the end of a glorious era, as the likes of Megan Rapinoe retired from international duty.

A young core was ready to take the torch from the older generation, but they needed the right coach to take them forward and US Soccer wasted no time in hiring someone with a proven track record in Europe — Emma Hayes.

The English coach left Chelsea after making the London side the most dominant team in the Women's Super League, but she has her work cut out for her with the American team.

Hayes was a pundit for the last World Cup, where she highlighted how the Americans are no longer the big guns in women's soccer and, after the 47-year-old took over in May, she said there was work to do to enable the US to dream of gold again.

Alex Morgan — with 123 international goals, and one of the last vestiges of the all-conquering US team — was left out of the Olympics squad, but eight players that won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics are included.

Among the clear favorites for the competition is Spain, which won the women's World Cup last year with an enthralling style of play. As it makes its Olympic debut, it will be led by Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati pulling the strings in midfield.

Vastly experienced players such as twice Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, Jennifer Hermoso and skipper Irene Paredes Hernandez are also included in a formidable squad, which boasts a rich mixture of youth and experience.

Host France is no pushover, either, with eight-time Champions League winner Wendie Renard pulling on the captain's armband.

However, its form has fluctuated in the buildup to the Games, and coach Herve Renard will look to improve on France's quarterfinal exit at the World Cup.

While the women's teams can have players of any age, the men's soccer competition is an under-23 event, but each squad is allowed three overage players.

Reuters