USA Vs. Canada, 2011 Friendly: USWNT And Canada Draw 1-1

With the United States and Canada playing two friendlies against each other in less than a week, it could have been predicted that neither team would necessarily bring their best on Saturday night. USWNT head coach Pia Sundhage decided to experiment with a new formation and players in new roles, and while plenty of positives came out of the match, the team looked like they had more to work on than aspects of their game completely sorted out, as both teams were slightly disappointing in a 1-1 draw.

The USWNT goal was a penalty, scored in the first half by Abby Wambach. Carli Lloyd created the chance with a great through ball into the box for Heather O’Reilly, who had her shot saved by Erin McLeod. The follow-up shot by Wambach was handled and a penalty was given, then converted by USWNT’s current leading goal scorer.

The USWNT is playing a series of two friendly matches against Canada in the United States over the next few days, partially as a warm-up leading into the 2012 Summer Olympics and partially to give the team a celebratory run-out. After the 2011 Women’s World Cup and their finals appearance, the team experienced a surge in popularity and demand to see the team has gone up significantly. As a result, Pia Sundhage has called in the exact team that went to the World Cup for these two games.

The alignment of the team looks slightly different than the World Cup games, however. It’s no secret that the USWNT has to find an eventual replacement for Shannon Boxx, and this game is the first attempt at a solution to her eventual departure. Lauren Cheney is expected to play as an advanced central midfielder, while Carli Lloyd is expected to play deeper than she normally did when partnered with Boxx. Megan Rapinoe re-joins the starting lineup on the left wing. Here are the lineups.

In their first match after the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, runners-up the United States take on rivals Canada at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, in front of what is expected to be a fantastic crowd. Coach Pia Sundhage has called in the same team that got to the World Cup final this summer to give them a run-out in front of the home fans, but Canada is looking like a bit of a different team.

New Canadian women’s national team coach John Herdman has called in a younger squad and did not have star Christine Sinclair available for selection. Canada was immensely disappointing at the World Cup, where they were expected to contend for a knockout stage spot and did absolutely nothing of the sort.