USWNT Downs Canada, Defends CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Title

Lindsey Horan got the game winner and Tobin Heath put the game away as the United States Women’s National Team defeated Canada, 2-0, to defend its title as CONCACAF Olympic qualifying champions.

Canada was looking to beat the U.S. for the first time since 2001, and in the first half managed to control the ball for significant stretches. However, its possession did not equate to shots on goal as U.S. keeper Hope Solo went pretty much untested in the first half.

In the U.S. attacking half, the Yanks managed only a few opportunities and their best chance came late in the half. A scramble off a corner saw the ball fall to captain Carli Lloyd who was taken down by Canadian forward Melissa Tancredi with a scissor-kick type tackle. Unfortunately for the U.S., the referee deemed the foul to be committed by Lloyd and the two sides went in to the break tied at zero.

Eight minutes after the restart, the U.S. had the lead. Center back Becky Sauerbrunn played a ball into the box and Horan ran onto it before putting a flicked header over the onrushing Canadian keeper and into the net. The goal was the second of Horan's international career.

Eight minutes later the Yanks doubled their lead. 17-year-old Mallory Pugh got the start for the Americans and in the 61st minute the U-20 captain cut up the left side towards the end line and played a cross on the ground that skirted all the way across the 18 before Tobin Heath hit a curling left-footed shot into the net.

While the match gave the U.S. a nice win against their northern rivals, the Canadians can find solace in the fact that both teams had already advanced to the Olympics by making the finals.

The Orlando Pride’s Alex Morgan got the start in the contest, but Canada did well to keep Morgan–and Lloyd–from having too many good looks at goal.

Pride keeper Ashlyn Harris was an unused substitute in the match.