With their spots in the 2012 London Olympic Games secured, Canada and the US battled to reign over the CONCACAF region.
The 4-0 result in favour of the Americans really wasn't the way that Canada had anticipated their tournament to end, but the sell out crowd of 25, 427, the second largest attendance for a senior women's match in Canada behind their 2003 friendly against Mexico (29,000), capped off five nights of raucous fanfare that makes the arrival of the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada ever more exciting. Whether allegiances were with the Southsiders, Voyageurs, both or otherwise, fans proved Vancouver to be worthy hosts.
The US was both fleet of foot and fleet of mind as their pace was difficult to contain and their decision making on the ball was a lot quicker than Canada's.
They got on the board just 5 minutes into the match. In the midst of setting up a Canadian attack, right back Robyn Gayle attempted to switch the point of play to the left side. Instead, the ball was misfired straight to Carli Lloyd, whose long ball was headed on by Abby Wambach to an onrushing Alex Morgan. Morgan burned past both centre backs and placed the ball past an outstretched McLeod.
Morgan put Shannon Woeller under more pressure when she created a corner kick in the 10th minute. The ball floated to the far post and an unmarked Lloyd scuffed her shot wide.
Amidst the US controlling possession Canada created a few half chances. Sophie Schmidt's free kick in the 15th minute headed towards the end line near Hope Solo's net, but Candace Chapman was unable to head the ball back into play.
Not long after, Canada pinged the ball around the top of the box and Christine Sinclair turned to spring Christina Julien towards the net. Julien's heavy first touch let her down, giving Solo time to make a sliding save as the two players collided. Then, a Canadian shot from the left side bounced awkwardly off the crossbar, but Solo was able to make the catch before a Canadian could get on the end of it.
Post-Match Press Conference with John Herdman:
With Kelley O'Hara playing a new role for the US, the natural forward was capable of sneaking into the attack and firing shots from distance as a left back. O'Hara's 23rd minute shot was initially blocked by Gayle, while her follow up was sent over the bar.
In the 25th minute, an outstretched Megan Rapinoe set up Morgan at the end line. Her pinpoint cross was served perfectly for a diving header by Wambach. Arguably one of the most terrifying plays to defend against in women's soccer, Wambach sent her body flying as she put the ball in the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Four minutes was all it took for the Americans to slot in a third goal as Lloyd's shot ricocheted off the post and Morgan's centring pass was finished by Wambach.
With two prolific strikers on the pitch, both Sinclair and Wambach were chasing Kristine Lilly's record of 130 career goals. Having scored two goals in the final, Wambach's 131 put her second only to Mia Hamm's 158. Sinclair and Wambach also shared the spotlight for goal #100 on July 19, 2009 in a friendly; Wambach was the victor as she was first to tally the century mark.
Despite increasingly physical plays throughout the tournament, referees have been conservative in showing cards. In the group stage, Mexico even managed to sneak in a few punches to the faces of American players and it went unnoticed. Among a few dirty tackles exchanged between Canada and the US, a tussle broke out in the 36th minute as Rapinoe retaliated against Julien for an earlier lunge from behind, but both players went unpunished aside from a few stern words by the referee.
Julien had a pair of chances, but neither was put away. On the brink of half time, Kelly Parker's well placed ball split the American defence on a rare occasion. Julien, with Sinclair to her right, elected to go 1v1 against Solo and the 'keeper dove at Julien to make the save.
Post-Match comments from Carmelina Moscato:
The second half started off quite similarly as the first with Canada not doing themselves any favours by being slow to clear the ball. McLeod punched away the shot, but the ball eventually fell to Lori Lindsey. Her shot sailed above the crossbar ever so slightly.
Canada's closest scoring opportunity came in the 52nd minute when half time substitute Melissa Tancredi (on for Kaylyn Kyle) went 1v1 against right back Heather Mitts. Tancredi's cheeky back heel allowed Sophie Schmidt to send in a ball across the face of goal that beat Solo and was inches away from dipping into the net.
A minute later, Wambach's substitute, Lauren Cheney, attempted to capitalize off a poor back pass, but her shot went straight to McLeod.
Morgan's speed was on display once again in the 56th minute when Cheney's pass sent her on a breakaway. Even with Rhian Wilkinson, McLeod and Woeller successively sliding in, Morgan eluded all three as she placed the ball into an empty net with her left foot for the US’ fourth goal of the match. The goal was eerily similar to that of France’s demoralizing fourth tally against Canada at the WWC.
McLeod closed out the final 20 minutes with solid saves against Rapinoe, Cheney and Rachel Buehler.
While replacing Amy Rodriguez, Sydney Leroux was welcomed to the pitch in the 63rd minute by a chorus of boos and a few cheers. The final dagger that could have been was Leroux's header during added time, but it was just wide of the net.
Christine Sinclair discusses Canada's defeat to the United States:
Remnants of the US' dodgy pre-WWC seasons were nowhere to be seen. In addition to insurmountable depth and resources, it's no wonder that they lived up to their billing as the #1 team in the world. They trounced their CONCACAF competition with 38 goals while conceding none and extended their record against Canada to 43-3-5.
When all is said and done, the Qualifiers were still a good showing for Canada on home soil. Heading into the Olympics in 6 month's time, the team can reflect on necessary tweaks which have been best brought to light now than later.
With Canada's 9 of 13 goals this tournament coming in the first half, Canada will be looking to improve their abilities as full 90 minute players. The backline may be looking to make adjustments as they were thoroughly troubled by the pace of the Americans.
As John Herdman noted when the Qualifying roster was announced, spots on the Olympic team are still open, leaving the possibility for omitted players, like veteran Emily Zurrer or even relative newcomers, to compete their way on to the roster.
Rhian Wilkinson discusess the U.S. match and the areas in which Canada need to improve:
No one can doubt Sinclair's capacity as a world class striker, topping the tournament with 9 goals. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the 28 year-old has a number of years left in her to continue to lead her country. At the same time, Canada continues to look to players like Julien and Tancredi to take a greater share in the scoring.
Despite the loss of stalwart Diana Matheson, the Canadian midfield was outstanding, especially in defensive midfielder Desiree "The Destroyer" Scott. Like Matheson, Scott's small stature doesn't prevent her from making crunching tackles and key interceptions. Herdman's decision to move Scott from the wings to the centre has reaped dividends and brought out the best in a player who previously flew under the radar on the bench.
With reinvigorated interest in the team as they punched their ticket to London, Canadian merchandise sold at BC Place far exceeded expectations. This, along with Umbro's unveiling of the Canadian Men's and Women's 2012 kits on Thursday, fans surely cannot wait to support their country again amidst a sea of red and white.
While pursuing a career in non-profit event planning and fundraising, Melissa provides in depth coverage of the CanWNT for All White Kit and RedNation.
|