Canada wins first match at Guadalajara 2011

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Canada won the opening match at the XVI Pan American Games Guadalajara 2011 on Tuesday 18 October. Canada won 3:1 over Costa Rica with goals from strikers Christina Julien, Christine Sinclair and substitute Amélia Pietrangelo. Costa Rica’s lone goal was scored by captain Shirley Cruz on a penalty in the first half. 

Playing on artificial turf, Canada took some time to get adjusted to the slick playing surface. Opponent Costa Rica opened with a 4-4-1-1 formation, with five players often in front of their back four. 

“It was one of those games in which the players were getting used to the conditions,” said Herdman. “Once our back four settled in, then the game opened up for us in the midfield.” 

In the 27th minute, a defensive miscue forced fullback Lauren Sesselmann to run back and cover a sudden breakaway from Raquel Rodríguez Cedeño. Sesselmann stopped Rodríguez, but did so in a way that prompted referee Shane Da Silva to call a penalty. Costa Rica captain Shirley Cruz converted the penalty for a 1-0 lead. 

Less than two minutes later, Julien equalised for Canada. From a Canadian free kick, the ball was moved up to Kelly Parker who then fired on goal. Julien redirected the ball on target for a 1-1 scoreline. 

In the second half, Sinclair made it 2-1 after a nice build up through the Canadian midfield. After a handful of passes, Kaylyn Kyle chipped it up to Sinclair who burst around the Costa Rica back four and put the ball in the back of the net. It was the Canadian captain’s team-leading sixth goal of the season. 

“It was that determination to win the ball,” said coach John Herdman of Sinclair’s goal. “She just took it back in behind the back four and she finished.” 

Late in the match, Pietrangelo scored her first international goal after Sinclair and Parker played with the ball on the left side. Parker then crossed it to Pietrangelo who calmly scored from a tight angle. The goal in the 82nd minute gave Canada a definitive 3-1 lead. 

For this match, Canada’s starting XI featured Karina LeBlanc in goal, Lauren Sesselmann at left back, Candace Chapman and Shannon Woeller at centre back, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, and Kelly Parker, Kaylyn Kyle, Christina Julien, Desiree Scott, Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt from the midfield up to the attack. 

In the second half, coach John Herdman replaced Sesselmann with Melanie Booth (64′), Kyle with Amélia Pietrangelo (67′), and Scott with Robyn Gayle (74′). Both Sesselmann and Woeller were booked by the referee. 

Costa Rica’s starting XI featured Yirlania Arroyo in goal, Daniela Cruz at left back, Wendy Acosta and Marianne Ugalde at centre back, Diana Sáenz at right back, and Mariela Campos, Shirley Cruz, Raquel Rodríguez Cedeño, Katherine Alvarado, Carolina Venegas and Lixy Rodríguez from the midfield up through to the attack. 

Of note, coach John Herdman recorded his first victory for Canada. Overall, the Canadian team’s 2011 record is 11 wins, two draws and six losses. Captain Sinclair, who scored her 118th career international goal, was selected Herdman’s Player of the Match.

Canada’s next match is Thursday 20 October against group opponent Argentina (11.00 ET / 10.00 local / 08.00 PT). Canada then faces Brazil on 22 October at (21.00 ET / 20.00 local / 18.00 PT).