During that time Leblanc and Canada would lose to the United States in the semi-final and quarterfinals respectively of the last two Olympic games, and in the third place game at the 2003 Women’s World Cup. The moment passed as quickly as it arrived. This group is ready and hungry to take on the U.S. We’re going to give them one hell of a fight as we always do and they’re looking forward to.
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This wasn’t pleasure, just business.
There’s no question this was the toughest match of the tournament for both teams, but the rivalry feeling was diminished a bit when Canada opted not to start several of its top players, including star Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Erin McLeod. And there might be a teenager in their midst when they do.
Numerous principals from that game will be on the field Sunday, including Morgan, who had a hat trick in Friday’s 5-0 semifinal win over Trinidad and Tobago. The Americans have blanked the opposition in their last 10 CONCACAF Olympic qualifying games – since Melissa Tancredi scored in the 116th minute of the 2008 final. 15 years later she has continued to stir up controversy ahead of today’s CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament final. “They owned that game”, Canada coach John Herdman said. That’s also the last time the U.S. has given up a goal in qualifying competition.
The world champions lost only three times to Canada in 55 games.
The Canadian women played a 2-4-4 formation, with only two centre-backs in defence, while the rest of the team focused on pressing high up the pitch with their sole intention being to only attack.
The United States took an early lead as their wide midfielders connected in the 12th minute after sustained pressure on the beleaguered T&T defense.
What Pugh’s name symbolically made clear was that this wasn’t about beating Trinidad and Tobago. But Pugh, still months away from college, seems an old hand in many ways when it comes to poise.
“Oh my God, you’ll just have to see my reaction – it went WTF”, said the English native. Lots and lots of chances. Pugh broke clear and rounded Forbes, but desperate recovery defending saw her cutback poked clear, and Morgan saw two clear looks at goal blocked well by the embattled netminder, as did Carli Lloyd. It’s a testament to U.S. Soccer having the grassroots teams and putting the money into really building players at a younger age.
Morgan scored in the 30′ when Kelley O’Hara served a good ball into the box and Lindsey Horan nodded it down in front of goal, something that Horan has proven adept at providing for her teammates. And that’s about it. Friday, by contrast, the 21-year-old Horan was a wizened old starter in comparison to Pugh. Likewise, Megan Rapinoe is recovering from a torn ACL after being injured in Hawaii during the Victory Tour that lead to controversy over playing conditions. Pregnancy removed Sydney Leroux and Amy Rodriguez from the equation. Some of the youth and reshuffling taking shape was forced on Ellis. Herdman left veterans Kaylyn Kyle, Lauren Sesselmann, Jonelle Filigno and Adriana Leon off of this Olympic qualifying roster. “I’m proud of the girls this evening”.
She chose to take a high schooler in Pugh. Part of that is due to a series of injuries and pregnancies, but Ellis also dropped veterans Heather O’Reilly and Whitney Engen for the qualifying process. But what makes Pugh so exciting is her soccer IQ – she offers admirable work ethic, makes intelligent runs and picks out the right passes. “I give her credit for coming positively and helping the team secure that win”. “I think we deserved the win tonight”. She’s done very well.
“It’s still a long way off”, Ellis said, “and they understand it’s still a process of selection”.
“I think we’re that confident it can happen, but I think you’ve got to realize the enormity of the task for a country like Canada to turn over a giant like the USA”, he told a news conference Saturday. She became the seventh player to achieve that feat.
“When Crystal came in, she did well as well”. History backs her up.
“We did a remarkable thing at the time”, Ellis said of the World Cup win.
“So it’s more about saying what do we need to improve and grow upon so that teams can’t stop where we’re at….” But we are finally playing an incredible possession style of soccer, and it’s lovely. “To be honest, I didn’t think the USA troubled us massively…”
Rose added an insurance goal in the 86th minute off a Nichelle Prince feed. “So, I don’t think it’s necessarily the prettiest of games when we play Canada”. “They’re a really good first-half team but I think as the game wears on they get a little more unorganized”.
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Awesome and cool, indeed.
