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The U.S. Women’s National Team and Canada have already taken care of the main tasks at hand. That of course was earning a place in the 2012 London Olympics, as both countries did with Friday’s semifinal wins – the U.S. topping Costa Rica 3-0, and Canada defeating Mexico 3-1. But the two teams want to finish strong in the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament as they meet in the championship match on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET).
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION – Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (out of contract), Hope Solo (out of contract)
DEFENDERS (6): Rachel Buehler (Atlanta Beat), Amy LePeilbet (Atlanta Beat), Heather Mitts (out of contract), Kelley O’Hara (Atlanta Beat), Christie Rampone (out of contract), Becky Sauerbrunn (Sky Blue FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (out of contract), Tobin Heath (out of contract), Lori Lindsey (Western NY Flash), Carli Lloyd (Atlanta Beat), Heather O’Reilly (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (out of contract), Amy Rodriguez (out of contract)
FORWARDS (4): Lauren Cheney (out of contract), Sydney Leroux (Atlanta Beat), Alex Morgan (Western New York Flash), Abby Wambach (out of contract)
ROSTER NOTES
– The U.S. Women’s National Team has scored 34 goals in its first four matches against the Dominican Republic (14-0), Guatemala (13-0), Mexico (4-0) and Costa Rica (3-0) during the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
– The U.S. team has let to allow a goal during the tournament. Canada has allowed two.
– There are seven players on the roster with 100 or more caps, led by Christie Rampone’s 248, good for fourth all-time in U.S. history.
– After Abby Wambach (129), the U.S. players on this roster who have the most career goals are Carli Lloyd and Heather O’Reilly with 34. Lloyd has scored in every game of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament. There are 15 U.S. women who have reached the 30-goal mark.
– Wambach’s 90-minute performance during Friday’s semifinal against Mexico was her first full game in 2012. Wambach had played just 150 minutes in the previous three games combined during qualifying.
– Goalkeeper Hope Solo and Christie Rampone are the only players who have played every minute of all four qualifying games.
IN THE RECORD BOOKS
– Abby Wambach is the most successful American woman in Olympic qualifying history with 12 total goals. She is also the only player on the roster to score in all three Olympic qualifying tournaments in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
– The USA has never lost an Olympic qualifying match (11-0-1). The tie was in the championship game of the 2008 tournament that ended 1-1 through regulation and overtime before the USA prevailed over Canada in penalty kicks.
– The USA is 81-2-5 all-time when Wambach scores a goal. The most recent of those two losses came in the Women’s World Cup against Sweden.Heather O’Reilly has 34 career goals and 33 career assists, making her one of just ten 30-30 players in U.S. history. The others? Julie Foudy, Carin Gabarra, Shannon MacMillan, Cindy Parlow, Michelle Akers, Tiffeny Milbrett, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly and Mia Hamm.
BY THE NUMBERS:
0 Number of goals allowed by the U.S. in 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying
1 World ranking of the U.S. Women’s National Team
5 Number of goals scored in a game by Sydney Leroux (Jan. 22, 2012), Amy Rodriguez (Jan. 20, 2012), Abby Wambach (Oct. 23, 2004), Tiffeny Milbrett (Nov. 2, 2002), Michelle Akers (Nov. 24, 1991) and Brandi Chastain (April 18, 1991)
6 Number of multi-goal efforts by U.S. players in 2012 (Wambach has a pair of two-goal games)
11 Number of players who have recorded a goal in 2012
34 Number of U.S. goals in 2012 over four games
40 Number of U.S. goals in 2011 over 20 games (this number does not factor in an own goal vs. Brazil)
55 The current unbeaten streak for the USA in domestic matches in which they are 49-0-6
101 Number of minutes Wambach averages between goals
129 Career goals by Wambach, putting her third on the USA’s all-time list at age 30 – she is three goals behind Kristine Lilly (130)
130 Number of minutes that Mia Hamm averaged between goals
194 Players who have earned a cap for the U.S. Women’s National Team since the program’s inception in 1985, the most recent being Whitney Engen, who earned her first cap against Norway at the Algarve Cup on March 4
219 Number of goals scored during head coach Pia Sundhage’s 86 games as U.S. WNT head coach
USA VS. CANADA SERIES
– The U.S. extended its unbeaten streak to 24 games against Canada by posting a 2-0-1 record last year.
– Overall, the USA is 42-3-5 against its neighbor to the north.
– The USA has faced Canada in Canada just five times and is 4-0-1 in those games, the most recent being May 25, 2009, a 4-0 victory in Toronto that was the first match for then head coach Carolina Morace.
– Canada’s last victory against the USA was a 3-0 win on March 11, 2011, in Lagos, Portugal.
– In 2011, Abby Wambach carried the offense in two matches, netting two goals during a 3-0 win against Canada on Sept. 22, preceded by Wambach’s lone goal for a 1-1 draw on Sept. 17. Lindsay Tarpley tallied a game-winner on Jan. 23 during the USA’s 2-1 victory over Canada.
– In the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament final, the U.S. topped Canada 6-5 in a shootout, with USA goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart saving Brittany Timko’s penalty kick to wrap up the win.
– The U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Aug. 15, with the USA’s Natasha Kai tallying the game-winner in the 101st minute. Angela Hucles has the U.S.’s other goal in the 12th minute, and Christine Sinclair had Canada’s lone goal in the 30th minute.
HOW THEY GOT THERE:
USA: The U.S. posted three straight shutouts in group play to secure first place in Group B, then defeated Mexico to clinch its spot in the 2012 London Olympics. USA 14, Dominican Republic 0: The USA trounced the Dominican Republic on Jan. 20, setting a U.S. record for goals scored in a game. The previous record was 12, set in 1991 during back-to-back 12-0 wins against Mexico and Martinique. Amy Rodriguez posted a second-half, five-goal effort in the USA’s group opener to tie an individual game record set previously by Brandi Chastain (1991), Michelle Akers (1991), Tiffeny Milbrett (2002) and Abby Wambach (2002). Heather O’Reilly contributed three goals and three assists, Lauren Cheney had four assists and Wambach had two goals. The record-setting night had a bitter taste, however, as U.S. defender Ali Krieger suffered a torn ACL and MCL and is expected to miss at 6-8 months … USA 13, Guatemala 0: The U.S. Women blanked Guatemala on Jan. 22. Vancouver native Sydney Leroux earned her second cap (she played just five minutes in her first) and produced five second-half goals in her 45 minutes of work as the USA clinched a spot in the qualifying semifinals. Wambach had the USA’s first two goals in the 12th and 14th minutes to increase her career goals total to 129, surpassing Germany’s Birgit Prinz for third all-time behind only USA legends Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly … USA 4, Mexico 0: The USA earned first place in Group B with a win against Mexico on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Carli Lloyd netted a hat trick, and O’Reilly added an eighth-minute goal. … USA 3, Costa Rica 0: On Friday, Jan. 27, the U.S. qualified for its fifth straight Olympics, with Tobin Heath, Lloyd and Alex Morgan each netting a goal. For Lloyd, her goal was her sixth of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament as she found the goal for a fourth straight match.
CANADA: Canada outscored its competition by a 13-1 margin to post a 3-0-0 record to win Group A, then posted a win against Mexico on Friday to advance to the 2012 London Olympics. Canada 6, Haiti 0: On Jan. 19, Christine Sinclair tallied four goals, while Christina Julien and Kelly Parker added goals to jump out to a strong start in group play. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc posted a clean sheet … Canada 2, Cuba 0: On Jan. 21, Sinclair notched a penalty kick goal and assisted Melissa Tancredi’s goal, both in the first half. Sinclair only played in the first half as Canada clinched a semifinal berth in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Canada’s defense did not allow a single shot during the match, while Cuba goalkeeper Katherine Montesino – starting in her first game – had to make 11 saves for the match … Canada 5, Costa 1: On Monday, Jan. 23, Sinclair tallied two goals and Canada benefited from an own goal to win Group A heading into the semifinals. Sophie Schmidt and Kaylyn Kyle added goals for Canada … Canada 3, Mexico 1: Led by Sinclair’s 128th and 129th career international goals to tie U.S. forward Abby Wambach for third all-time behind former USA players Mia Hamm (158) and Kristine Lilly (130), Canada clinched its spot in the 2012 London Olympics with a win against Mexico on Friday. Tancredi added a goal for Canada in the 23rd minute and defender Candace Chapman made her 100th international appearance.
BOUND FOR LONDON: The U.S. has qualified for its fifth consecutive Olympic Games and is looking to finish in first place at CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying for the third consecutive time . In 2008, the USA won the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico and went on to win the gold medal in Beijing. In 2004, the U.S. won the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Costa Rica and went on to win gold in Athens, Greece. The U.S. qualified for the 1996 Atlanta Games as host and for the 2000 Sydney Games as a top-seven finisher at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The USA was the lone CONCACAF representative at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, the first two that featured women’s soccer. Mexico qualified along with the USA for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, while the Canadians claimed the second spot behind the U.S. in 2008 in Beijing.
ELEVEN IN, ONE TO GO: Eleven teams have now qualified for the 12-team Olympic Football Tournament: host Great Britain; Japan and North Korea from Asia; Cameroon and South Africa from Africa; Brazil and Colombia from South America; and Sweden and France from Europe; and now the USA and Canada following their CONCACAF semifinal victories on Friday. New Zealand will likely earn Oceania’s lone berth.
PIA SUNDHAGE FACT FILE: Head coach Pia Sundhage is in the midst of her fourth full year in charge of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Below are some of her accomplishments as a player and coach.
– Sundhage is the sixth official coach and second female coach in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team program.
– Sundhage’s record as head coach of the Women’s National Team is 72-5-9, with 219 goals for and 43 against.
– As a player, Sundhage was one of the game’s best-ever players, finishing sixth in the voting for FIFA Women’s Player of the Century. A legendary player in Sweden, she played for her country in the 1991 and 1995 Women’s World Cups and 1996 Olympics. She scored four goals for Sweden at the 1991 Women’s World Cup, helping the Swedes to a third-place finish. She scored one goal in the 1995 Women’s World Cup (against Germany) and played every minute of all three matches at the Atlanta Olympics.
– Sundhage started her coaching career while still playing, serving as player-coach for Hammarby from 1992-1994. She also coached Sweden’s Youth National Teams for 11 years from 1990-2001, coaching the U-16s, the U-19s and U-21s.
– After her retirement from the international game in 1996, she became head coach of the Sweden Under-19 Women’s National Team, leading the team to one gold medal and two bronze medals at the European Championships. She served as a scout for Sweden during the 1997 European Championships, the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2000 Olympics. Sundhage has also worked for FIFA on its Technical Study Group staff for the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in Thailand.
– Since taking over as head coach, Sundhage has given 17 players their first senior team caps.
IN FOCUS: CANADA
Canada Soccer Association
Founded: 1912 (Joined FIFA in 1913)
Head Coach: John Herdman
Best FIFA World Cup Finish: Fourth place in 2003
Best Olympics Finish: Advanced to 2008 quarterfinals
CANADA NOTES
– With Christine Sinclair’s two goals against Mexico on Friday, she surpassed Germany’s Birgit Prinz and tied the USA’s Abby Wambach for third all-time in career goals with 129.
– Sinclair has scored nine goals in four games during the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the most of any player.
– Canada did not allow a single shot during its 2-0 win against Cuba on Jan. 21, posting a 26-0 shots advantage and a 14-0 shots on goal differential.
– Canada defender Candace Chapman made her 100th international appearance on Friday.
– Canada is in the midst of a 10-game unbeaten streak.
– Heading into qualifying, Alyscha Mottershead was added to Canada’s roster to replace midfielder Diana Matheson, who has not returned to fill fitness following November knee surgery.
CANADA ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Karina LeBlanc, 18-Erin McLeod
DEFENDERS (8): 2-Shannon Woeller, 3-Melanie Booth, 4-Carmelina Moscato, 5-Robyn Gale, 9-Candace Chapman, 16-Lauren Sesselmann, 19-Chelsea Stewart, 7-Rhian Wilkinson
MIDFIELDERS (6): 6-Kaylyn Kyle, 8-Alyscha Mottershead, 15-Kelly Parker, 13-Sophie Schmidt, 11-Desiree Scott, 17-Brittany Timko
FORWARDS (4): 12-Christine Sinclair, 14-Melissa Tancredi, 20-Chelsea Buckland, 10-Christina Julien
Head coach: John Herdman
LAST TIME
On the field for USA:
Jan. 27, 2012 – BC Place Stadium – Vancouver, Canada – CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying
U.S. 3, Costa Rica 0
USA 3 Tobin Heath, 16; Carli Lloyd, 72; Alex Morgan, 89
CRC 0
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 5-Kelley O’Hara, 19-Rachel Buehler, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 6-Amy LePeilbet; 9-Heather O’Reilly (8-Amy Rodriguez, 70), 10-Carli Lloyd, 7-Shannon Boxx (15-Megan Rapinoe, 80), 12-Lauren Cheney, 17-Tobin Heath (13-Alex Morgan, 63); 20-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 2-Heather Mitts, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 14-Sydney Leroux, 16-Lori Lindsey, 18-Nicole Barnhart
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
CRC: 18-Erika Miranda; 5-Diana Saenz (17-Adriana Venegas, 87), 6-Karol Sanchez, 8-Daniela Cruz, 19-Fabiola Sanchez, 20-Wendy Acosta, 7-Mariela Campos, 16-Katherine Alvarado, 4-Fernanda Barrantes (12-Lixy Rodriguez, 65), 10-Shirley Cruz (capt.) (15-Cristin Granados, 90), 11-Raquel Rodriguez
Subs not used: 1- Julieth Arias, 2-Saudy Rosales, 9-Carolina Venegas, 14-Marianne Ugalde
Not eligible: 3-Yendry Villalobos
Head coach: Karla Aleman
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