Tag: Canada WNT

Olympics: Preview Notes – Canada (Group F)

THE ONLY WAY TO GO IS UP — After a dismal performance at the 2011 Women’s World Cup where they finished statistically dead last, Canada is hoping to reverse their fortunes this year by finding their way to the medal podium in London. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Canada (Group F)”

Olympics: Recent Matches Involving Qualified Teams (Updated, 21-July)

Here is a list of friendlies and other international matches involving Olympics-bound women’s soccer teams, for the two months leading up to the start of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament. This post is intended as an “FYI.” After the final tune-up matches on the 20th, a more proper write-up is planned.

This post will be updated as more matches are completed.

If you know of any international matches that are not listed, whether official, friendly, or closed-door, please post that information in a comment. Matches not involving two senior women’s national teams (e.g., scrimmages against club teams) are beyond the scope of this post. Continue reading “Olympics: Recent Matches Involving Qualified Teams (Updated, 21-July)”

USWNT: Olympic Send-Off Match – Hope Solo’s Save: Goal or No Goal?

In the final home friendly before the Olympics, the United States Women’s National Team defeat Canada 2:1, thanks in part to Hope Solo’s reflex save of a Christine Sinclair shot. That shot deflected off the leg of Amy LePeilbet, forcing Solo to suddenly reverse her dive. Solo was able to get a hand on the ball, however the ball was still bouncing toward the far post. Both Solo and Canada’s #6, Kaylyn Kyle went for the ball, with Solo getting the first touch, but Kyle slide-kicked for the ball while Solo lunged for it. Solo appears to have possession of the ball, but Kyle’s second effort pushed the ball farther across the goal line, and perhaps all the way over the line, but no goal was awarded.

Was a no-goal call correct? Continue reading “USWNT: Olympic Send-Off Match – Hope Solo’s Save: Goal or No Goal?”

USWNT: Olympic Send-Off Match – Rodriguez’s Goal: Offside or Not?

In their send-off friendly versus Canada, the United States Women’s National Team won the match via a late Amy Rodriguez goal, which was scored on a scrappy play at the top of the six-yard box. Rodriguez received the ball after an Abby Wambach effort (not sure it was a shot or a pass), was half-cleared by Canada’s goalkeeper, Erin McLeod.  By the time Rodriguez received the ball, she is only in front of one defender, McLeod.

Thus, there is the appearance of a possible offside call, but on a closer inspection, Rodriguez is clearly not in an offside position at the relevant moment: when the ball is played by Wambach. Therefore, Rodriguez was not in an infringing position, and the goal was good.

Continue reading “USWNT: Olympic Send-Off Match – Rodriguez’s Goal: Offside or Not?”

USWNT: The USA Wins Its Olympic Send-Off Match Versus Canada

On Saturday, the United States Women’s National Team defeated their northern neighbor, Canada, 2:1 in an Olympic send-off match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah. The USA’s goals were scored by Carmelina Moscato via an own goal and Amy Rodriguez, who had an 85th minute game-winner after Melissa Tancredi equalized in the 57th minute. Continue reading “USWNT: The USA Wins Its Olympic Send-Off Match Versus Canada”

Olympics: South Africa’s Semi-Official Roster

Canada group opponent South Africa announced their preliminary Olympic roster last week (www.safa.net). Of the eighteen players on the list, two currently play for American universities: goalkeeper Roxanne Barker (Pepperdine University) and Kylie-Ann Louw  (Stephen F. Austin State University). SAFA’s new item notes that an official roster will be announced on July 4th. Continue reading “Olympics: South Africa’s Semi-Official Roster”

Olympics: Notes on the Latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings

On June 1st, the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings were released. While there were no major shake-ups, the most notable rankings movement was by Brazil, whose series of losses to Canada, the USA, and Japan, caused them to drop 33 points and fall from fourth place to fifth place, behind Sweden. Meanwhile, the United States remains in the number one spot and was able to extend its points lead over Germany and the other top teams. Continue reading “Olympics: Notes on the Latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings”

A Round-Up of Other Notable International Matches (Late May 2012)

Besideds the USA’s 4:1 win over China, three other notable matches occurred in the past week: Canada defeated China 1:0 at home, Germany defeated Romania 5:0 in a Women’s Euro qualifier, and Sweden beat Scotland 4:1 in an away friendly. Continue reading “A Round-Up of Other Notable International Matches (Late May 2012)”

Olympics: Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, and Others to Participate in a Friendly Tournament in Early July

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released preliminary details of a friendly tournament that will take place from July 8th to the 17th in Savièse, Switzerland, between London-bound teams Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand, plus Russia and two other teams that have yet to be confirmed. The CBF news item uses the phrase “Copa Feminina da Suíça 2012” which translates to “Swiss Women’s Cup 2012,” but there is no word on whether Switerland’s WNT will participate in this six team tournament.

Source: CBF.com.br