BEIJING - Hope Solo ran around the field with a fake gold medal the size of a dinner plate around her neck as she screamed into her cell phone to her brother, who was crying on the other side of the world. Coach Pia Sundhage wildly hugged anyone she could find while Brazilian players lay motionless on the field, no longer showing any dazzling moves.

The United States women's soccer team returned to the country of its most humiliating defeat and highest point of turmoil and climbed back atop the women's soccer world. It held fast against the speedy and talented Brazilians just long enough Thursday night for Carli Lloyd to score in the 96th minute to win in overtime, 1-0.

"Times . . . they are a changin'," a delirious Sundhage sang in the post-game press conference.

Sure, the win was a repeat of the final in 2004 when Brazil controlled most of the game before losing in overtime, 2-1. But that seemed like another generation ago. Just last summer in the World Cup semifinals, these same Brazilians had drilled the U.S., 4-0, Solo popped off about getting benched, coach Greg Ryan later got axed and Sundhage came in.

Sundhage's Olympics debut was a 2-0 loss to Norway and a lot of lost interest in U.S. women's soccer. But at Workers Stadium 51,612 people, including IOC head Jacques Rogge and Kobe Bryant, watched the U.S. reclaim the No. 1 title it held for so long.

"When I was 6 years old I felt I was the only girl in the world who played soccer," Sundhage said. "I changed my name. I went as Pelle. Never could I imagine I'd be a pro player or a pro coach. Look at this gold medal. I am so proud and I'm enjoying the moment."

Still, she may not have been the happiest person among 16 million people in Beijing. Solo legitimized last year's harsh words that had her jettisoned out of China. She made six saves against a relentless Brazilian attack that controlled total possession 58 percent to 42.

The biggest save of her career came in the 71st minute when Marta showed why she's a two-time World Player of the Year. She masterfully dribbled between Heather Mitts and Kate Markgraf and only Solo stood between her and a gold medal.

With Solo leaning left to protect the open side of the net, Marta craftily fired a rocket to the near post. Solo just managed to get her hand up to block it.

She was asked if she felt vindicated for saying last summer she would've stopped those shots in that 4-0 defeat.

"I don't think about what happened last year," she said. "I said what I said out of emotion. I feel great. I won a gold medal."