Fourteen and a half hours to kick off and counting. I’ve seen the U.S. suit up against Canada more times than I can count, but I can’t remember when I’ve approached a U.S./Canada match with such anticipation. I can’t wait until the alarm rings at 5:45 am tomorrow and that is saying a lot for this non-morning person, especially in light of how this tournament started out for the Americans.
Much has been made in the press about the close contests that Canada has had with the U.S. in recent years, especially in significant or non-friendly matches. The U.S. barely eked out a 2-1 win in the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, which was the qualifying tournament for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, both teams had already qualified for the World Cup so the significance of that match is debatable. It was the same thing with the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament. It was decided in favor of the U.S. on penalty kicks, but both teams had already punched their tickets to Beijing.
Mixed in with the tight matches are some thrashings courtesy of the U.S., including 6-0 and 4-0 results this year.
The mixed bag of results makes it difficult to predict a winner. The Canadians have made it clear that they are not intimidated by their neighbors and feel like it is their time. Meanwhile, the U.S. is showing respect to an opponent that they have only lost to three times and not since 2001.
“They are great athletes and very tough,” said U.S. midfielder, Heather O’Reilly. “They are going to be one of the most aggressive and toughest teams in the tournament so that’s something that we need to match or beat.”
Maybe Canada is due and can capitalize on a depleted U.S. squad. However, the U.S. has never finished out of the medals at an Olympics or World Cup and they seem to be on upward swing after a disastrous start. And, if moving onto the medal round isn’t enough motivation for the U.S., Team Canada has been talking enough smack to provide some extra incentive for the U.S. to come out guns blazing.
Greetings from Toronto. I am in the press box at BMO field for Canada's match against Brazil. The stadium is top notch and I have a lovely view of the city and the lake from my seat. (Unfortunately, not as great a view of the field thanks to some large window panes.)
We're about 17 minutes in. Canada has had the run of it in the opening minutes although Brazil is starting to string things together. Maicon just missed a header right in front of the goal.
As expected, Brazil is absent some key players (Marta, Christiane ...).
From the look of it, things may get a little chippy on the pitch before the match is done.
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