Canada’s Women to Battle for Bronze After Heartbreaking Loss to USA

In what is sure to be an instant football classic, Canada suffered an absolutely heartbreaking 4-3 defeat in extra time in the semi-final phase at the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. 

Christine Sinclair gave Canada the lead three separate times with an epic hat trick, but the Americans fought back three times. The Monday 6 August match at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, ENG seemed destined for kicks from the penalty mark, but alas USA scored the winner in the 123rd minute, less than a minute away from the final whistle.

Against the run of play, Sinclair got things started in the 22^nd minute. Marie-Eve Nault chipped a ball through to Melissa Tancredi who then passed to Sinclair who smartly cut across the 18-yard box before unleashing a right-footed shot that beat USA goalkeeper Hope Solo.

USA came out with something to prove in the second half and Rapinoe scored in the 54^th minute. She swung in a corner kick to the near-post. With Canada slow to react, the ball snuck in before Lauren Sesselmann or Erin McLeod could keep it out.

Four goals were then scored in just over 10 minutes of madness.

First Melissa Tancredi assisted on Sinclair’s second of the game in the 68^th minute before Rapinoe added her second just two minutes later with a stunner from the right side that ricocheted off the far post and in.

Two minutes later, it was Sinclair again who headed home a corner kick from the right side to the far post. It was Sinclair’s first-ever hat trick against the Americans.

With just over ten minutes remaining, the Americans were awarded an indirect free kick inside the Canadian penalty area. The free kick was then struck so hard that neither Diana Matheson or Marie-Eve Nault could avoid being struck by the ball. Referee Christiana Pedersen called a penalty after the ball hit Nault’s chest and arms.

Canada fielded a starting XI with Erin McLeod in goal, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, Carmelina Moscato and Lauren Sesselmann at centre back and Marie-Eve Nault at left back. Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt, Diana Matheson, Christine Sinclair Melissa Tancredi and Jonelle Filigno made up the midfield and attack.

In the second half, Canadian coach John Herdman replaced Filigno with Kaylyn Kyle (67’). In extra time, Nault was replaced by Chelsea Stewart (101’).

USA had a starting XI with Hope Solo in goal and Christie Rampone, Kelley O’Hara, Amy Le Peilbet and Rachel Buehler on the back line. Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach made up the midfield and attack.

In the second half, USA head coach Pia Sundhage replaced Le Peilbet with Sydney LeRoux (76’). In extra time, Cheney was replaced by Heather O’Reilly (101’) and Buehler with Becky Sauerbrunn (110’).

ADDITIONAL MATCH NOTES:
With three goals in the match, Sinclair has a national record 23 goals on the season. She also has scored six goals in this year’s London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, one more than Abby Wambach who has scored five goals.

Of note in the match, Wilkinson made her 130th international appearance, moving past Charmaine Hooper for fourth on the all-time list (behind Andrea Neil 132, Diana Matheson 140 and Christine Sinclair 189). Sophie Schmidt, meanwhile, made her 45th consecutive appearance to tie Matheson for the second longest streak in program history (behind Randee Hermus’ streak of 46 matches).