On Sunday, Lindsey Horan scored with a header in first-half stoppage time, and the United States beat Brazil 1-0 on Sunday to triumph the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup.
The US raised the trophy even though they were taken aback by defeating Mexico in the tournament's group stage. It was the first women's Gold Cup, created to give teams in the region more meaningful competition.
Lindsey Horan Goal Wins Gold Cup Title
The match was the fourth time the US faced Brazil in a tournament final. The Americans won the previous three, including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Around 31,528 people attended the game at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium, setting a record for the largest Concacaf women's event audience.
Emily Fox sent a cross perfectly for Horan to score with a header moments into stoppage time. Horan scored her third goal in the competition, and her first two came from penalty kicks.
In the 79th minute, Lynn Williams came dangerously close to scoring another goal for the US, but the move was offside. At the very end, Casey Krueger attempted a risky Brazilian cross.
The US suffered its second setback in the 43-game series between the two sides, losing 2-0 to Mexico in the tournament's group round.
After a rain-soaked 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout victory with Canada in the semi-finals, the Americans bounced back with a 3-0 win against Colombia in the quarterfinals. They then advanced to the final on penalties.
Brazil had won all five tournament games, including a 3-0 triumph over Mexico in the semi-finals, during which time they had scored 15 goals.
After Brazil's elimination from the Women's World Cup last summer, coach Arthur Elias replaced Pia Sundhage, and the Brazilians surrendered just two goals in their first competitive competition.
Likewise, the US played in their first tournament under temporary head coach Twila Kilgore, who took over after the team fired coach Vlatko Andonovski following their most early-ever World Cup exit.
Furthermore, Emma Hayes was hired by the US to coach the team, but she is finishing the season with Chelsea in the Women's Super League.
Brazil and the US earned spots in France in this summer's Olympics.
USWNT Players Excited About Victory
After winning the Gold Cup title, Horan said it was a difficult game and that Brazil had challenged them differently. However, she said she was proud of them for finding a way to get a goal, finishing the game, and getting a trophy.
Defender Crystal Dunn also stated that it was not always pretty, and this was a game that they just grinded through. She added that they got the job done, and that was the most important.
"That was a crazy tournament, but finished strong," forward Alex Morgan said. "That's what mattered. So many players coming up big time."
