December 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
by The Associated Press
The United States women’s soccer team will end the year at No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.
Emma Hayes’ team won gold at the Paris Olympics this past summer to mark its turnaround in form after its reign as world champion ended last year and Spain established itself as the dominant force in the sport.
The Americans’ triumph in France — they beat Brazil 1-0 in the final — led to them climbing four places to top the FIFA rankings in August. The U.S. maintained that No. 1 spot in the final rankings of the year, which were released Friday.
Spain, which won the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia — beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney — was on top at the start of the year, then dropped to third after losing the bronze medal match at the Olympics. The Spaniards are up to second in the latest rankings.
European champion England is down to fourth from second, while Olympic bronze medal winner Germany is third.
The U.S. has dominated the international game over the decades, winning four Women’s World Cup titles and five Olympic golds.
However, the Americans were eliminated in the round of 16 at last year’s Women’s World Cup when knocked out by Sweden.
Hayes, who won 15 major trophies with English professional club Chelsea, including seven Women’s Super League titles, took over as U.S. coach in May and quickly delivered a tournament triumph at the Paris Olympics.
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