The United States women struggled in front of net on Saturday afternoon -- and Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod played well in her net -- but they managed to win their pre-Olympics send-off friendly 2-1.
USA Vs. Canada: U.S. Women Win 2012 Olympics Send-Off Match 2-1
The United States women won their Olympic send-off match on Saturday, defeating Canada 2-1 in Utah.
Carmelina Moscato got unlucky with a deflected own goal in the 13th minute, getting Canada off to an awful start. Megan Rapinoe, who was arguably the USWNT’s best player during the game, set up the goal with a cross into the box that Moscato deflected into her own net.
There was very little action in the first half after that goal until stoppage time, when both sides had big chances. Hope Solo made an incredible save in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, recovering to save a deflected ball off the line after being completely wrong-footed. Kaylyn Kyle nearly scored on the follow-up, but Solo was able to keep the ball out of the net. Just a minute later, Lauren Sesselmann made a fantastic clearance off the line on a shot by Alex Morgan.
Canada managed only one shot on target in a dominant performance by the United States, but their goal came on a more impressive piece of play than anything the USWNT produced over the course of the match. In the 56th minute, Christine Sinclair set up Melissa Tancredi, who entered as a second-half substitute, for an equalizer. The assist was a fantastic through ball that cut through the entire U.S. defense, and Tancredi hit a confident finish into the roof of the net from close range.
Pia Sundhage subbed on Sydney Leroux for Kelley O’Hara in the 75th minute, shifting her team into an aggressive 3-4-3 formation. That substitution eventually paid off with an 84th-minute goal, scored by Amy Rodriguez. Abby Wambach was credited with the assist on the scramble in front of goal, which resulted in the ball luckily falling for Rodriguez three yards out.
The United States plays their first Olympic match July 25 against France, the co-favorites along with the U.S. to advance out of Group G. Canada begins their tournament on the same day, against reigning World Cup champions Japan.
