A Gold Cup Rivalry Clash: Previewing the USWNT vs. Canada
Whenever the United States takes on Canada with CONCACAF trophies on the line, it’s always a matchup worth tuning in to. Now, the USWNT’s all-time record against Canada is impressive, 53-7-4 overall. The last time Canada defeated the United States will be a game the Stars and Stripes will never forget. The 2021 Olympic Semifinals saw Canada stun the USA 1-0 and go on to win the gold medal. The United States have since avenged that loss and they’ve won 11 of the last 13 meetings in knockout matches. History favors the United States. But as we saw in the group stages with Mexico beating the United States, anything is possible. Here’s our preview of the USWNT vs. Canada in the first-ever Gold Cup Semifinal.
USWNT vs. Canada: Wednesday, March 6 at 7:15 PM PT/10:15 PM ET, Paramount+
Canada
Canada is in a new era for their program as Christine Sinclair finally called it a career at the international level. The one thing Canada has done a great job of is constantly giving young talent an opportunity to break into the side and pick the mantle when necessary. Now, the onus for the Canadians falls on the shoulders of those young players who are now veterans. Players like Quinn, Jesse Fleming, and Ashley Lawrence are just a few key members who will have to step up. In the group stage, Canada did just that, handling El Salvador 6-0, Paraguay 4-0, and Costa Rica 3-0.
However, in the quarterfinals, a rematch with Costa Rica was not nearly as easy. Evelyne Viens would provide the winner in extra time. Canada did not bring their shooting boots with them in this game, as they had 39 total shots and 10 on target. To only score one goal, and that too in extra time, highlights what could be the one weakness of this team. This might’ve been the only issue with Christine Sinclair sticking around for as long as she did.
Sinclair was almost too reliable; whenever her team needed a goal, she almost always found a way to provide it. Now, when this Canadian team needs a goal, who can they turn to? Viens is a goal scorer who can’t seem to become a full-time starter. Jordan Huitema isn’t scoring enough for a striker of her caliber.
Prior to this game, the Canadians were finishing everything, which means this game could be an outlier. However, the USWNT defense, anchored by Naomi Girma, will be a far tougher test for Canada. Kailen Sheridan is an elite No. 1 keeper and will always give Canada a chance to keep a clean sheet.
USWNT
On the other side, the Americans bounced back in a big way and made easy work of Colombia. Considering what Colombia has done over the last two years in international play, it’s an impressive 3-0 win. If the USWNT gets an early goal and is allowed to come into the game with their rhythm, it’s going to be a long night for their opponents, as Colombia just learned.
Jenna Nighswonger just keeps getting better and better and is going to be a cornerstone as a defensive back. She has the rare mix of being able to defend because of her college experience but also has shown she can score. Her goal was a thing of beauty. Jaedyn Shaw is looking and playing like a 10-year veteran, which is a great sign for the future of the USWNT. This is the young talent and next generation blossoming before our very eyes and soon they’ll be players the USWNT will rely on every game.
Tactics and Prediction
In terms of tactics against Canada, assume the United States will have more possession, but will they choose to apply the high press as they did against Colombia? That strategy seemed to take Colombia by surprise. The Colombians had more possession and completed more passes overall, but most of those passes were in their own half. The United States press was too good.
Canada has the technical players to beat the press; it’s a matter of converting the chances they get. Based on the last game, 39 shots with one goal don’t elicit confidence. The USWNT has to be excited about what Korbin Albert and Sam Coffey did together as a midfield pair. The USWNT might not have kept possession as much as they normally do, but they were far more solid defensively.
There isn’t much separating these two teams, and it definitely feels like it’s going to be a low-scoring game with both defenses neutralizing each other. Extra time or a penalty shootout could certainly be in the cards, but the USWNT appears to have righted the ship. Losing a game here or there is one thing but losing two games out of three is something that is very rare for the USWNT. They’ve only lost back-to-back games twice in the last seven years. You’d be hard-pressed to find a time when this team has lost two out of three games ever.
The United States is back after the slip-up and should do just enough to get past Canada.
Prediction: USWNT Wins 1-0
Featured image via Daniel Gray
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
