|
|
Canada 3 – 4 USA
The semi-final match between Canada and the United States was poised to be a close, physical battle, but no one would have predicted the emotional rollercoaster that came of the 120+ minutes.
It was equal parts of national pride, ecstasy, joy and heartbreak – a valiant effort against Canada's kryptonite.
Related: Melissa Tancredi Interview
Following a hat trick by – who else? – captain Christine Sinclair, the US battled back to tie the match on each occasion. Ninety minutes simply weren't enough to crown a winner, so into extra-time we headed at 3-3. As the seconds ticked closer to penalty kicks, Alex Morgan headed in the kill to make it 4-3 for the US in 120+ 3'.
Both squads started the match with the exact same line-ups as they had in the quarter-finals.
Canada scored on their first clear opportunity in the 23'. Leftback Marie-Eve Nault played the ball up to Melissa Tancredi, who touched it off to Sinclair. Poised as always, Sinclair took a touch to the right before striking the ball past a diving Hope Solo.
The USWNT managed to tie the score in the 54'. Megan Rapinoe's corner kick to the unmarked near post bounced off of Erin McLeod's knee and off an onrushing Lauren Sesselmann to make it 1-1.
Nault, Tancredi and Sinclair linked up again in the 68' for Canada to get ahead 2-1. From Nault's pass, Tancredi ran to the endline and cut it back against US central defender and captain Christie Rampone to send in the cross. Sinclair leapt high and headed the ball in.
Less than two minutes after Canada took the lead, Rapinoe answered back with one of the best goals of the Olympic football tournament. Her shot to the far side bounced off the post and past a sprawling McLeod.
Moments later, Canada regained the lead off a corner kick as Sinclair headed in her third of the match, making it 3-2. Amy LePeilbet was unable to head it off the line.
Canada was then undone in the 78' on two successive calls by the referee, Norwegian Christina Pedersen (and you might just argue that she made a few more questionable decisions against Canada). First, a six second rule was called against McLeod for allegedly holding the ball too long on a goal kick. The US was awarded a free kick at the top of the box, which ricochet off both Diana Matheson and Nault's arms as they turned to avoid the ball. Upon the ensuing penalty kick, Abby Wambach stepped up for the PK and sent McLeod the wrong way to make it 3-3.
Scoring opportunities in extra-time were mostly in favour of the US, aside from Tancredi's bicycle kick following a nervy sequence of clearances and Matheson's late free kick that no Canadian was able to get on the end of it. A bullet of a header by Wambach in the 119' almost secured the match, but the crossbar separated her from another goal.
With 30 minutes of extra-time wrapped up and 30 seconds of the 3 minute stoppage time left until a PK decider, substitute Heather O'Reilly sent in a cross from the far side and Morgan headed in the winner just inches above McLeod's glove.
Prior to today's match, a lot of attention was placed on Canada's dismal record against the US, going 0-22-4 since their last win against them (well, their B team) at Algarve 2001. Including tonight's match, the Americans have dominated with 44W-3L-5D.
In some ways, there hasn't been a more devastating loss than this. Canada was so, so close to the gold medal match, what they've always wanted. The 2012 Olympics have been their best performance yet. Canada's possession, especially in the last three matches, has been impressive; they've been in control, outplaying Sweden and Great Britain; tonight, Sinclair kept upping the ante to make the Americans feel pure desperation in attempting a comeback.
It hurts to lose in the semi-finals after being so close to winning it. Following the match, Sinclair was asked what message she had for Canadian fans. She said, "Sorry we let you down" (hat tip to @LukeWileman).
As devastated as everyone may be about the result, the truth is, fans don't feel let down; we're absolutely proud of the team. This is the furthest that Canada's gotten in their short Olympic history. The very reasons that made this loss hurt so much are the exact same reasons why we're proud that these women are representing Canada; they've been incredible this tournament.
With that said, this Canada vs. USA semi-final will be, for a very long time, one of the best, if not THE best, performance of the CanWNT - a heart stopping, nervous breakdown inducing classic that sets another precedence in women's soccer. Who would have thought that anything could top the USA vs. Brazil and USA vs. Japan matches from the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup?
There is still plenty of great women's soccer to come. Medal hopes for Canada are very much alive as they will battle against France for the bronze on Thursday, August 9 at 8am ET/5am PT on CTV. The US will take on Japan for the gold medal at 2:45pm ET/11:45pm PT on TSN.
The Canadian Olympic Committee's tagline for London 2012 is "Give Your Everything". That's exactly what the CanWNT has done. Keep wearing the Canadian jersey proudly.
While pursuing a career in non-profit event planning and fundraising,
Lissa provides in depth coverage of the CanWNT for All White Kit and
RedNation.
|