Lindsay Horan scored off a header in the 53′ minute of the match, what would be the game-winning goal against Canada. Victor Araiza / Prost Amerika
USA defeat archrivals Canada 2-0 with goals from Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath to win 4th straight CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament
For the fourth consecutive CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, third consecutive with Canada as an opponent in the final, the United States Women’s national team finishes by lifting the trophy. Second half goals from Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath showed the gap between the North American rivals in front of a 10,119 pro-US crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Sunday.
Despite the tag of a championship final, there wasn’t much to play for other than pride as both nations had already earned their qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics by virtue of their semifinal wins on Friday. The game was, for lack of a better term, an exhibition and an opportunity for both nations to measure themselves against a world power in women’s soccer.
A few notes about today’s starting XI: https://t.co/tfZ7r4u5Lo. #USAvCAN is NEXT on @LiveExtra & @NBCUniverso. pic.twitter.com/ttUm4K0C97
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) February 21, 2016
The USA treated this game like a final. Head Coach Jill Ellis started the match with the same starting XI from Friday’s game against Trinidad and Tobago. Alex Morgan, who had a hat trick on Friday, received a knock in the first half but would not be subbed off due to injury when coach Ellis could’ve easily rested a player she didn’t need to risk on the pitch.
Starting XI #CanWNT #CanadaRED #CWOQ2016 pic.twitter.com/d5tLk3sB1j
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) February 21, 2016
Canada on the other hand went more experimental for the final. Head Coach John Herdman took a gamble by leaving veterans Sophie Schmidt, Diana Matheson and Christine Sinclair out of the starting lineup in hopes of having the trio provide a boost off the bench. Goalkeeper Erin McLeod was rested and left out of the final.
The game was, without question, the most competitive game both teams have played all tournament but the United States looked dominant and could’ve left with a larger score line. Canada, who up to Sunday’s game had produced 24 goals in 4 matches, was only able to produce one shot to rival the United States’ seven.
Looking great, you guys ? #SWEEP pic.twitter.com/H1F4Y7PvDQ
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) February 22, 2016
Further proof of the U.S.’s dominance is in the awards handed out after the match. Eight of the United States players were named to the tournament’s Best XI, the other three were Canadian players. The US Women also took the Fair Play award and swept the three individual awards for Golden Glove (Hope Solo), Golden Boot (Crystal Dunn) and Golden Ball (Morgan Brian).
The U.S. Women will be back in action on March 3, 2016 when they kick off the round-robin SheBelieves Cup against England in Tampa Bay, Florida before facing off against France and Germany. All three opponents are currently ranked in the top 5 of the latest FIFA Women’s rankings.
