On Thursday night, the USA women’s soccer team won the Olympic gold by defeating Brazil 1-0 in overtime. The team won gold as the adjusted to a new coach and each other, and the loss of three players to injuries.

Although Natasha Kai only entered the gold medal game as a substitute 11 minutes into overtime, she played a crucial role earlier in the tournament. In the match against Canada, Kai scored a goal in the 101st minute that put the USA Women’s soccer team a 2-1 overtime victory to place them in the medal round. Her goal came as it was raining at the Shanghai Olympic Stadium with lightning flashing nearby. The tattooed soccer player wore one white shoe and one red shoe along with a white headband inscribed with the uniform numbers of three players who were injured shortly before the Olympic Games.

Learn more about Asian Americans at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Gold medal match
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=fb5h-bj-sd26-082108-205003
Natasha goal
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0815_SD_FBW_US_L0556

USA Women’s soccer team scores Gold