Marta on bench, Albert starts for USWNT in final

Marta on bench, Albert starts for USWNT in final

PARIS — Legendary forward Marta did not start for Brazil in the gold medal match against the United States at the Paris Olympics.

Marta, a six-time world player of the year, was suspended for the quarterfinal and semifinal matches in France after she was sent off with a red card in Brazil’s group final against Spain.

Marta, 38, has played in six Olympics. She has said that this will be her last international tournament.

Marta was available as a substitute, and Adriana was named captain for the match.

U.S. coach Emma Hayes made one change to her lineup for the final, starting Korbin Albert in place of Rose Lavelle.

It was the second-youngest U.S. lineup to start a gold medal match, with an average age of 26.7. The average age of the team that started the 1996 final was 25.8.

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