United States interim coach Twila Kilgore said the women's national team is “just getting started” after winning the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in Sunday's final.
“This is a group that is moving forward together, that still wants more time together. It's time to get back to the club. [seasons] for them and doing those things, but we really enjoy being together and we feel like we're just getting started,” Kilgore said after taking the trophy at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium.
“This is a group that is just getting started.”
Played in front of 31,528 spectators, which is a record for a Concacaf women's match, the US women's national team was able to narrowly edge out Brazil thanks to a 46th-minute game-winning goal from captain Lindsey Horan.
With the trophy in hand, the United States has bounced back after a disappointing round of 16 finish at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Following the four-time world champion team's early exit last summer, former coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned from his position, thus leaving Kilgore as interim.
“This is a team and a program that will always have attention and expectations, and we say that pressure is a privilege,” Kilgore said.
“We've regrouped, we've set new goals, we've set a new style of play. We're working toward something together and it's a very public process, and that's not easy. I'm very proud of them and I'm very happy.”
Regarding Sunday's final against Brazil, the USWNT interim highlighted the impact of Horan's goal.
“We were trapped for quite a while in the first half and it took us some time to get out of it. Then the timing of our goal was really critical, right before the half. [it] It means we come back with a slightly different strategy in the second half,” Kilgore said.
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After the game, Brazil coach Arthur Elias highlighted how well his squad had done, outshooting the USWNT 12-7.
“I think we had a great performance during the game, we had opportunities to score goals today,” Elías said. “They were also very well prepared to play against our team today, but we had more opportunities to score goals than the United States”
Horan, who is currently going through a talent transition, mentioned the influence that promising players are starting to have with the USWNT.
“The team makes it a lot easier for me because you see on the field that there are a lot of leaders there,” Horan told CBS Sports. “Even some of the younger guys stepped up in this tournament and showed their leadership.
“Anything I can do to help the team and bring out the best in everyone, but also be a role model in what I do on the field.”
Of those young players, 19-year-old American forward and San Diego Wave player Jaedyn Shaw received the tournament's Golden Ball. On the other hand, American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher won the Gold Glove.
With the trophy in hand, the USWNT has won every Concacaf tournament it has participated in, giving them a total of 15 regional titles.
Looking ahead, the United States will participate in two She Believes Cup matches in April.
Chelsea women's coach Emma Hayes will soon take over as permanent coach of the USWNT following the conclusion of the Women's Super League season.
