 Despite Wambach 's absence , the U.S. took home gold after defeating Brazil 1 – 0 in the final . Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored the game @-@ winning goal in the 96th minute off an assist from forward , Amy Rodriguez , in front of 51 @,@ 162 spectators at Workers Stadium . The gold medal was the third for the national team , after winning titles at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Games , the first Olympic tournament that included women ’ s soccer . 
