MacMillan’s magic continued in the 19th minute in the gold medal match at the same venue four days later. Despite playing with an injured ankle, Hamm set up both scores. Kristine Lilly sent a left-wing cross into Hamm, who drilled a shot off the left post. The rebound ricocheted to MacMillan, who slotted a four-yards home for her team-high third goal of the tournament.
Like MacMillan, Milbrett also had worked her way onto the team, thanks to DiCicco. "The biggest thing for me is that he's the first coach that really give me my chance to shine," she said. "I felt like he was a decent man. He had his heart in the right place."
With the score deadlocked at 1-1 in the 68th minute, Milbrett found herself at the right place at the right time.
Defender Joy Fawcett intercepted a pass on the right side and dribbled to midfield before passing to Hamm. Fawcett never stopped running toward the penalty area as Hamm sprung her with a perfect through ball.
Milbrett saw the play developing and took off on a long run into the penalty area, ready for a cross, a poor clearance or a rebound. She couldn't believe no one had picked her up.
"It's almost as if they forgot about me," she said. "I have no idea I was left so alone."
Fawcett sent a cross the box toward Milbrett.
"No goal is easy to score, but when you're left alone and your teammate leaves you a cross so absolutely perfect, it's one of the easier moments that you can have,” she said. “It just comes down to your technique, placement and timing of getting that shot off and placing it. Just avoid the goalkeeper."
Which she did from six yards; 2-1 USA.
Milbrett celebrated with a somersault. The USA's focus switched to closing out the game.
Twenty-two minutes and some stoppage minutes time later, the stadium erupted again. The Olympic champions saluted the fans, dancing around Stanford Stadium with American flags before the medal ceremonies.
