The United States won gold for the fifth time with the victory at Parc des Princes.
After playing to a stalemate through the first half, Mallory Swanson found the back of the net in the 57th minute to put the U.S. side on top. Sonnett, who came off the bench in the second half, helped the defense stand tall down the stretch as the United States turned away some late chances by Brazil.
It is the first gold for the United States since the 2012 Games in London. It is the second Olympic medal for Sonnett who was a part of the team that won bronze in Tokyo in the 2020 Olympics (competed in 2021).
The following is a recap of the United States’ road to the gold medal match in France:
TUESDAY, AUG. 6 – SEMIFINALS – UNITED STATES 1, GERMANY 0
The United States went to extra time for the second straight match and again came up with the result as Sophia Smith buried her shot in the 95th minute. The U.S. side scored in transition as Mallory Swanson threaded the ball ahead to Smith at the top right of the box. Smith chipped it up and into the back corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.
SATURDAY, AUG. 3 – QUARTERFINALS – UNITED STATES 1, JAPAN 0
The United State defeated Japan with a goal in extra time from Trinity Rodman. After playing to a stalemate through regulation, Rodman put the U.S. side on top with her goal in the 105th minute. Crystal Dunn found Rodman for the strike as the first overtime period came to an end. The American defense held strong through the second overtime period to secure the win and advance.
Sonnett drew the start for the second straight match and played every minute of the contest against Japan.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 – GROUP B – UNITED STATES 2, AUSTRALIA 1
Sonnett drew the start on the back line for the United States side against Australia and played the full 90 minutes.
The USWNT took the early lead on a goal from Trinity Rodman in the 43rd minute when Trinity Rodman cleaned up a ball headed down toward the back post by Sophia Smith off a corner kick. Korbin Albert made it a 2-0 lead with her goal in the 77th minute.
Australia cut the lead in half with a goal in the first minute of stoppage time, but would get no closer.
SUNDAY, JULY 28 – GROUP B – UNITED STATES 4, GERMANY 1
The United States was on fire out of the gates on Sunday in the second game of group play. The American side scored three goals in the first half for the second straight game and held a 3-1 lead at the half. Sophia Smith tallied a brace around a goal from Mallory Swanson as she cleaned up a deflected shot from Smith.
The USWNT capped the scoring with a goal from Lynn Williams in the 89th minute of play. Sonnett came in as a back line sub in the waning minutes of the first half.
The USA (2W-0L-0D; 6 points) will enter the first-round finale against Australia knowing it’s already through to the Aug. 3 quarterfinals. The top two teams in each four-team group, along with the two best third-place finishers, move on to the knockout rounds. The USA and defending World Cup champions Spain, which beat Nigeria, 1-0, today are the first two teams to secure their spot in knockout phase.
THURSDAY, JULY 25 – GROUP B – UNITED STATES 3, ZAMBIA 0
Sonnett came off the bench in the second half to make it six straight Olympics with a Virginia alum on the pitch for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
The United States powered to three quick goals for 3-0 lead over Zambia after 25 minutes of play. Trinity Rodman opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Mallory Swanson delivered a brace with a pair of goals 70 seconds apart. The first came in the 24th minute before she followed with her second a little move a minute later.
The USA’s Olympic journey will continue on Sunday, July 28, against old rival Germany at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille (9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Telemundo and Peacock). The USA holds a 23W-5L-7D all-time advantage in the series and won the most recent competitive fixture between the sides, the 2015 Women’s World Cup semifinal in Montreal, Canada.
NOTING SONNETT AND HOOS IN THE OLYMPICS
• Sonnett made her second appearance in the Olympics after also being rostered for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Sonnett was an alternate for the 2016 Rio Games.
• Sonnett is the third Virginia alum to play in at least two Olympics. Becky Sauerbrunn played in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics, while Angela Hucles played in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
• Sonnett played four seasons for the Cavaliers (2012-15) and helped Virginia advance to two College Cups and the 2014 NCAA Championship game. The Hoos also won the 2012 ACC Championship. She was a two-time All-American, a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2015 and was named the 2015 ESPNW National Player of the Year.
• Morgan Brian was also a member of the 2016 USWNT Olympic roster to give Virginia four Olympians over the last six Games.
• Emily Sonnett made back-to-back starts for the USWNT for the first time ever at a world championship as she started again at center back in place of the injured Tierna Davidson (leg contusion) against Australia and Japan.
| Date/Time (ET) | Opponent | Venue | Broadcast | Result |
| Thurs., July 25 (3 p.m.) | Zambia | Nice Stadium | USA, Peacock, Universo | W, 3-0 |
| Sun., July 28 (3 p.m.) | Germany | Marseille Stadium | USA, Peacock, Telemundo | W, 4-1 |
| Wed., July 31 (1 p.m.) | Australia | Marseille Stadium | USA, Peacock | W, 2-1 |
| Sat.., Aug. 3 (9 a.m.) | Japan | Parc de Princes | Peacock, Telemundo | W, 1-0 |
| Tues., Aug. 6 (12 p.m.) | Germany | Parc de Lyon | USA Network, Peacock, Telemundo | W, 1-0 |
| Sat., Aug. 10 (12 p.m.) | Brazil | Parc de Princes | USA Network, Peacock, Telemundo | W, 1-0 |