United States Crowned at the Deaflympics: A Legacy of Success and Retirement
The United States Deaf Women’s National Soccer Team (USDWNT) has achieved a historic feat by defeating Japan with a score of 4-0 in the Deaflympics final, thus securing their fifth gold medal in this competition and their eighth world championship overall.
The USDWNT has maintained an impeccable performance since its official start in 2005, accumulating 44 victories and only one draw.
Emily Spreeman, the team’s star forward, shone in the final by scoring two goals, extending her personal record to 50 goals in 30 games played with the national team.Sydney Andrews, Kate Ward, and Emily Spreeman are retiring from the United States women’s deaf team.
Spreeman, the last remaining player from the original 2005 team, announced before the Deaflympics that these would be her last matches with the team.
Holly Hunter and Erin Cembrale also contributed to the triumph over Japan with their goals, sealing the 4-0 victory.
The United States dominated the tournament once again, with 11 different players scoring a total of 35 combined goals. The American team demonstrated a solid defense by not conceding any goals in the four matches played.
The USDWNT has won the five editions of the Deaflympics in which it has participated, as well as the three World Cups for the Deaf.
The gold medal match on Tuesday marked the end of an era for the team. Spreeman, Sydney Andrews, and Kate Ward, the three players with the longest tenure on the team, played their final matches with the national team.
Head coach Amy Griffin and assistant Joy Fawcett also coached their last game with the team after almost 10 years at the helm.
Both coaches, former US internationals, announced before the tournament that they would leave their positions after the Deaflympics. They bid farewell with a record of 23 wins and one draw, winning two Deaflympics and two World Cups for the Deaf.
The United States men’s deaf team finished in fourth place at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, losing 1-0 to France in the bronze medal match.
