USA - Canada

Sophie Schmidt (@sophieschmidt13)
6/30/12 6:28 PM
2-1 Loss.. hard to take, but we stuck with em'. We scored three goals: one an own goal, one a no call goal, one a perfect finish from Tanc!

Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13)
6/30/12 5:47 PM
Good result for us and GREAT turnout in SLC thanks for all that dealt with the heat today! FYI- my knee is doing good, was just a scare.

PurpleGeezer wrote:

Sophie Schmidt (@sophieschmidt13)
6/30/12 6:28 PM
2-1 Loss.. hard to take, but we stuck with em'. We scored three goals: one an own goal, one a no call goal, one a perfect finish from Tanc!

Soph... Not all those things were good.

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:

PurpleGeezer wrote:

Sophie Schmidt (@sophieschmidt13)
6/30/12 6:28 PM
2-1 Loss.. hard to take, but we stuck with em'. We scored three goals: one an own goal, one a no call goal, one a perfect finish from Tanc!

Soph... Not all those things were good.

If that was the ball on the line in the first half I'm not convinced it was completely over the line.

Saturday, June 30, 2012.
U.S. Soccer: Rapinoe sparks Team USA’s offense vs. Canada
U.S. Soccer » Midfielder’s crosses set up both of United State’s goals in tight 2-1 victory


By Steve Luhm | The Salt Lake Tribune


Sandy • Veteran midfielder Megan Rapinoe was the United States’ most dominant player on a blistering Saturday afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Without her, Team USA’s final home exhibition before the London Olympics could have ended in a stunningly unhappy result.

Instead, the U.S. women’s soccer team used a goal by Amy Rodriquez in the 85th minute to defeat Canada, 2-1.

Although Rapinoe didn’t score either goal, she began both plays that ended with the ball behind Canadian keeper Erin McLeod.

In the 15th minute, Rapinoe’s cross was deflected into the net by Canada’s Carmelina Moscato, whose own goal gave the United States a 1-0 lead.

"I whipped a tough ball in between the last center back and the keeper," Rapinoe said. "Both went for it and the center back got it. Great goal by her. I’ll take the assist."

Although the United States controlled most of the action, it failed to extend its lead before halftime.

"They were giving us quite a lot of space in the first half," Rapinoe said. "... [But] we let them hang around a little bit."

After Canada struck in the 57th minute, it looked like the game might end in a draw.

Again, however, Rapinoe put the U.S. in position to score. Her long centering pass ended up on the foot of Rodriquez, who chipped home a goal that extended the United States’ unbeaten streak against Canada to 26 straight games.

"We feel pretty good," said Rapinoe, who celebrates her 27th birthday Thursday. "We had a lot of chances and that’s good. We [just] need to put those away in London."

From start to finish, Rapinoe’s speed and aggressiveness on the outside gave Team USA numerous scoring opportunities.

In all, the United States out-shot Canada, 19-4. The U.S. finished with eight corner kicks. Canada did not have one.

Rapinoe’s performance got the attention of her teammates and coach.

"A confident Megan Rapinoe is very difficult to play against," said U.S. forward Amy Wambach.

Added coach Pia Sundhage: "... She has a good game when she makes the right decisions. If she’s too eager or tries to be too fancy, she’s average. [But] today I thought she was splendid."