Gold Cup Insights: Illuminating the path to the 2024 Olympics | OneFootball

The inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup is over, but it is not the end of the road for some of the tournament’s participating nations. Now, the focus shifts primarily to what lies ahead this summer: the Paris Olympics.

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, will spotlight several nations represented at the Gold Cup.

The US, Colombia, Canada, and Brazil are turning their attention to how their summer will unfold. All four teams had an amazing run in the Gold Cup — each reaching at least the quarterfinals.

Colombia: A rising force in women’s football

Colombia’s Gold Cup dreams were dashed when they faced off against the USWNT, but the match never lacked excitement.

The Colombian side has been an up-and-coming nation full of grit and passion. The team’s key ability is its use of strength to cause opponents to play narrow and how it pressures backlines to cause sudden turnovers. This style of play is not foreign to South American countries; it is similar to how Brazil’s national team functions.

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Colombia punched their ticket to the 2024 Olympics by becoming a semi-finalist at the Copa América Femenina. Again, they followed in the footsteps of their South American counterpart Brazil, another semi-finalist at the Copa América. Overall, Colombia will be a team to watch at the Summer Olympics as they return to battle against the European giants. It is the next chapter of a test already displayed in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

A SheBelieves Cup reunion awaits

Beyond Colombia, the Gold Cup’s other three quarter-finalists will meet again at the SheBelieves Cup in April.

Brazil and Canada will face off first next month, reigniting the flame that ignited at the Gold Cup. Both nations have punched their tickets to the Olympics and will likely use the SheBelieves Cup as a testing ground for the 33rd Olympiad.

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Not having squared up in the Gold Cup, both nations will be ready to work as this competition is familiar to their rivalry series. Within the last six matches, the scoreline has read quite evenly matched. The SheBelieves Cup will help determine the current draws, wins, and losses that these two nations hold, 2–2–2 for their current series.

Canada is on the hunt to defend their title and clinch their second straight Olympic gold medal while Brazil has the hopes of reaching beyond the quarter-finals in the Olympics.

The USWNT’s redemption arc

The USWNT is the last quarter-finalist from the Gold Cup with much at stake entering the Olympics. After the last Olympic Games, the team started to change. The style of play was not on the level or caliber that was deemed to be from one of the greatest teams in the world.

It was not until the last Women’s World Cup that the US struggled to exit their group stage match. Coming away with the second spot, the Americans could not complete their dreams of reaching the World Cup final and left the Round of 16 with a thrilling clash against Sweden. This defeat was not only a shock to the world but a blow to the mentality the Americans are known for.

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The Gold Cup was the first time the USWNT began to look more like its old self. This victory helped place their stamp on us, letting us know that they are still a top competitor on the global stage and will reclaim all they lost. With the SheBelieves Cup and a change of guard coming in May with new gaffer Emma Hayes taking the helm, all the eyes will be on the national team as it enters the final stage of preparations for the Olympics.

Countdown to Paris

With several international teams facing upcoming friendlies and invitationals, the horizon is bright with last-minute preparations for the Olympics. Time will tell if the reigning gold medalists can hold their top spot. But many outcomes are possible.

Could the US bounce back from their recent World Cup and Olympic woes? Or do we suspect a new contender will take home the gold in Paris? There is much to look forward to, but one thing is for sure: it will be a great summer for women’s football.

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