Stars and Stripes down the Maple Leaf
Monday, 25 May 09, 07:59 PM · Comments(7)
The US Women got back together for their first action since the Algarve Cup final in mid-March for a friendly against cross border rival Canada. Japan had pulled out of a North American tour including matches against the US and Canada. To make up for the matches lost, the Canada agreed to a friendly against the USA.
The match took place at BMO Field, home of the MLS' Toronto FC. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the Olympic quarter-final in which Natasha Kai scored the game-winning goal in over time to give the US a 2-1 win, and get them to the semifinal against Japan.
The US took the lead early in the first half. Shannon Boxx took the ball to the top right side of the box and released a shot that got past Canadian goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc in the 3rd minute.
The match did not have a lot of action as was expected and was a little slow. Canada had more possession though, but the US was able to score again in the closing minutes of the first half. This time it was Megan Rapinoe, who started at center midfield. She took the ball inside the area, cut to her right around a defender and bent a perfect ball to the lower right corner of the goal.
She sent the US into the locker rooms with a 2 goal lead. Halftime changes included Nicole Barnhart coming in for Hope Solo, who had only a couple touches on the ball with her feet. Rachel Buehler subbed in for Amy LePeilbet.
The US came into the second half hungry for more goals. In the 67th minute, Angela Hucles received a pass form Abby Wambach. Her effort went high over the crossbar.
In the 71st minute Heather O'Reilly stole a ball at the top of the box and dribbled inside the area. Her shot also went high over the bar.
Canada gave the US a corner kick in 78th minute. Hucles played the ball to the far post where Wambach was able to keep it in play. The Canadian defense was not able to clear the ball, and second-half substitute Lindsay Tarpley found the back of the net to give the US a 3-0 lead.
Just three minutes late, Lauren Cheney, who had just come in for Amy Rodriguez, sealed the win on a cross from O'Reilly. She headed the ball into the goal from a tight angle.
The US backline was pretty solid throught the match, and cut down Canada's chances. Christine Sinclair was not able to score her 100th goal. Abby Wambach did not find the net either. The good thing is the teams will meet again twice in July. The first match will be on July 19th at Rochester Rhino's Stadium in Rochester, NY. Kick-off is at 3pm ET and will air live on ESPN. The next match will be on July 22nd at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, SC. The match is set to start at 8pm ET and will air live on FSC.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
-
max said:nothing is impossible. Henry's contract with Barca ends in a coupld of years an...
On THIS IS HUGE - Thierry Henry to New York Red Bulls x Josmer Altidore to Barcelona
Ed said:That would never happen as firstly he has a child who lives with his ex wife in...
On THIS IS HUGE - Thierry Henry to New York Red Bulls x Josmer Altidore to Barcelona
-
ManoGil
Los Angeles, US
Exclusive Coverage of the U.S. Womens National Team and Womens Soccer in General. News, Facts, History, Schedules, Match Reports and other stuff. **************************** Most of the content on this blog is written by my friend Alondra Hernandez - she's the speciallist in the USA Women's National Team. Check her profile here on the link section bellow
7 Comments · Add yours
Didn't wambach get the assist on cheneys goal
sorry, fixed it
i thought HAO had the assist on cheneys goal, wambach for tarp maybe?
either way, the USWNT played really well. just a class above canada im afraid. now for abby to get 100 in front of her hometown crowd.
Great match by the US. Thought Rapinoe was excellent. Seemed like Wambach and A-rod weren't teaming up well. I didn't like those two together up top. Other than that thought it was a well played match. Happy to see Cheney get a goal.
great job!
Congratulations!!!
I hope for you in more and more
attention by the readers!!!
You deserve it.
thanks marcoerob.
i thought HAO had the assist on Cheney but ussoccer had Wambach as the assist. but it was HAO. (note to self: never trust the MatchTracker, when you know the team so well, and can tell who's on the ball just by the way the players runs.)