USA-Canada WNT, September 22, Portland

So the rumor about the New Zealand friendly was incorrect.

Four Pilots in the game seems like a little better deal to me.

Thanks PPT- you beat me to the punch on the update to the rumor. Seeing the 4 Pilots will be more fun.

This was imbedded in an O article on the Timbers--

Note: The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team will make a stop at Jeld-Wen Field September 22 to face Canada in a friendly. Kick off will be at 8 p.m. and the game will be aired on ESPN2.
The game will feature four former University of Portland stars: Megan Rapinoe and Stephanie Cox for the U.S. and Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt for Canada.
Fans can purchase tickets starting Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $22 and can be purchased at www.ussoccer.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Another tweet said tickets would also be available at the Timbers ticket office.

According to the US Soccer release, Visa card holders will be able to purchase tickets a day early, using their Visa cards. I don't know any more about it than that.

When I called to order my tickets, the Ticketmaster robot voice said the opponent was New Zealand, but I ordered them anyway. When the tickets arrived yesterday, they indeed said Canada. Oh, Ticketmaster robot also said the game will be at a place called "PGE Park."

I'm undoubtedly the last one to realize that Christine is sitting out the friendlies. While it will be very special to see Sophie, Megan, and Stephanie, I had hopes of four co-captains coming out for the coin toss at Jeld Wen.

No Sinclair? R-E-F-U-N-D! Nah, I'll be there with purple on.

Hey everyone... if you're going to the game, you're welcome to attend a pre-game gathering UP is sponsoring at the MAC Club. Here are the details:

September 22 - Pre-game gathering at the MAC
On Thursday, September 22 at Jeld-Wen Field, Pilot alumni Megan Rapinoe '08, Sophie Schmidt '11, and Stephanie Cox '07 will take to the pitch in an international friendly match between the U.S. and Canada.

If you are planning on heading down to Jeld-Wen for the game, please stop by the 26 Founders room at Multnomah Athletic Club at 6 p.m. for a pre-game reception for all Pilot fans. The first 150 people on hand will receive a limited edition t-shirt. Heavy appetizers and soft drinks will be provided, as well as a no-host bar.

Please RSVP to alumni@up.edu so we can make sure we've got enough food for everyone. Contact U.S. Soccer for ticket information.

Megan and Stephanie were at City Hall this morning, and were honored by the Mayor and the rest of City Council. Huge props to Commissioner Nick Fish for making this happen - he's a die-hard Pilot fan and a season ticket holder!



The game was sold out, but US Soccer just opened up some more tickets on the upper deck, so you might be able to still get one if you act quick.

Oh, and don't forget UP alumni office is hosting a pre-game event at the MAC Club that is open to all. Opens at 6 PM, and there will be free food as well as a no-host bar. First 150 fans get t-shirts too!

The understatement of the day (week, month, year) from the Oregonian: Another former UP star, Stephanie Cox, played the full 90 minutes as a defender for the U.S.

The match was fun, the crowd was great, the weather perfect, and all the Pilots looked like I remember. But Stephanie was marvelous in my opinion. All the World Cup discussions regarding Amy P. at the outside back were accurate and underscored by last evening's performance.

I think the Canadian attack would have been a bit improved with Christine. Many of the long balls that their striker touched but ultimately mishandled would have been a different story at Sinclair's feet.

Go Pilots!

P obviously equals Lepielbet...but it's early and you know who I meant

I totally agree with your assessment of Stephanie's play. I thought she did a fantastic job, especially in how she initiated the offensive in the new formation. I don't have a clue as to why she normally doesn't start but with her performance last night, I would have to believe that Pia took notice. And I would say that no matter what college she played for!

I also liked the way Tobin Heath and Kelly Ohara played when they came in. They certainly made the best of their time out there! And as always Alex Morgan comes in and finds a way to score!

In summary, wonderful game to watch. I really loved the fast pace action of the game! I'm already looking forward to the next game!

Tobin Heath was a refreshing change from The player who tríes to nutmeg her way through hordes of defenders. I had given up on her and thought she played her way off the squad in the WC. She did good things last night. Not perfect, but enough to give hope that her soccer acumen might eventually live up to the promise of her obvious physical skills.

Nice to see the comments about Stephanie. I've always loved her game, the calm and sureness, as well as the offense she offers. With Megan's play in the middle, I don't think she'll be out of the line-up any time soon.
What a treat.

Anyone see Sophie get stuck in on Megan in the second half?

It wasn't the Pilot Club but I trust the MAC was to everyone's liking, except for the lack of Pokies.

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:

It wasn't the Pilot Club but I trust the MAC was to everyone's liking, except for the lack of Pokies.

I would think the Multomah club would Get the ones with the monogram....

Geezaldinho wrote:

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:

It wasn't the Pilot Club but I trust the MAC was to everyone's liking, except for the lack of Pokies.

I would think the Multomah club would Get the ones with the monogram....

Rookie question: what are pokies?

Geezaldinho wrote:Tobin Heath was a refreshing change from The player who tríes to nutmeg her way through hordes of defenders. I had given up on her and thought she played her way off the squad in the WC. She did good things last night. Not perfect, but enough to give hope that her soccer acumen might eventually live up to the promise of her obvious physical skills.

Tobin is young and I believe under Pia's coaching she will become an extremely good player and good asset to the national team. I believe that Megan has learned from being on the team unders Pia's coaching. She still mistakes at times but she definately creates opportunites and brings that energy and Pia has recognized that and rewarded her by putting her in a very important postion in the new formation.

I think Meghan really played well in the new formation. I think it is perfect for her. She could easily have had two goals - I think the second one might have bent the crossbar.

Say what you want about Abby - she is still a dynamite goal scorer.

I also noticed the Sophie and Meghan meeting - I loved it. As I recall, it was a draw.

RipCityPilot wrote:

Geezaldinho wrote:

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:

It wasn't the Pilot Club but I trust the MAC was to everyone's liking, except for the lack of Pokies.

I would think the Multomah club would Get the ones with the monogram....

Rookie question: what are pokies?

Knock off M&Ms. Served in the Pilot Club. Their aerodynamic features are optimized for use as a projectile weapon against obnoxious opposing team coaches.

fan from afar wrote:I think Meghan really played well in the new formation. I think it is perfect for her. She could easily have had two goals - I think the second one might have bent the crossbar.

Say what you want about Abby - she is still a dynamite goal scorer.

I also noticed the Sophie and Meghan meeting - I loved it. As I recall, it was a draw.

Glad I can say I saw Abby Wambach play and score in Portland. What a baller. (Fun fact: Last time I saw Hope Solo play in Portland she came on as a striker for UW in a Nike tournament game.)

fan from afar wrote:I think Meghan really played well in the new formation. I think it is perfect for her. She could easily have had two goals - I think the second one might have bent the crossbar.

If that had snuck in under the bar, it would have equalled the 2005 game breaker against Notre Dame.

Randy Waldrum was quoted as saying it was the hardest strike ever - man or woman.

Apparently not being able to score is not limited to current Pilot players, Megan had the exact same luck last night as the whole team has been having all season,

The event at the MAC was very good. The setting was excellent and the food was too. UP did a fine job.

The WNT game was such amazing exposure for UP women's soccer. (Not that the World Cup wasn't!) This city loves the WNT, the Canadian team and the many Pilots who represent their countries so ably. When young girl soccer players see Megan, Stephanie, Sophie and Christine on these stages, they must consider UP as a college choice.