The United States Women’s National Team proved too much for a formidable Canadian side as they easily won the Allstate Continental Clásico 3-0. 19,215 fans were on hand to witness the USWNT’s big win over their continental rival. After a soulful rendition of the national anthem via saxophone by Johnny Holliday, the young guns of the U.S. were ready to show and prove.
The U.S. got their first chance just five minutes into the match. A long ball broke the Canadian backline and found Lynn Biyendolo in stride. With her defender trailing and teammates in the box, she decided to take the chance on her own, which turned out to be the wrong choice as the ball went wide of the post. Two minutes later, the same scenario happened, except it was Michelle Cooper pacing down the right side. She let up to send a cross into the box to Biyendolo, who headed the ball straight to Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
In the 17th minute, the U.S. was the first to break the deadlock with a goal from Sam Coffey. On a free kick outside the box, a long ball was whipped into the 18-yard box and caused chaos in front of goal. The ball bounced to an unmarked Coffey, who put enough of a touch on the ball to slowly beat the keeper to her left.
Canada tried to beat the U.S. at their game when mounting a response two minutes later. A long ball beat the U.S. backline and found the feet of Jordyn Huitema. The goalkeeper quickly descended on Huitema and closed down her angle, forcing her to shoot straight towards Dickey for the easy deflection.
The U.S. got its second goal in the 36th minute. Rose Lavelle sent a corner kick into the box, and Claire Hutton rose above her defenders and headed the ball past Sheridan for her first international goal.
The wing play for the U.S. was fluid, utilizing speed in the first half with Alyssa Thompson on the left and Michelle Cooper on the right. The best part about the tandem was that neither felt afraid to track back. They were leaning more on the right (Cooper) than the left, but toward the end of the first half, they started exposing Canada’s vulnerability on Thompson’s side.
Early in the second half, Canada made two changes to shake things up. Nichelle Prince and Shelina Zadorsky came on for Jordyn Huitema and Ashley Lawrence. They ramped up their attack but weren’t able to make a breakthrough.
The USWNT, on the other hand, was able to seal the deal in the 89th minute with a goal from Yazmeen Ryan. The Houston Dash star gathered possession inside the 18, took a quick look at goal, and fired a shot past Sheridan to secure the shutout.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has placed a lot of faith and trust in young players, and the gamble has been paying off. It’s great to see so many players do so well so quickly. “We always said that we need younger players coming in, and I think Emma does a good job of giving them that trust but also confidence,” said captain Naomi Girma. “I think that’s why you see them going out and playing like their best self. They don’t seem scared or timid, they come in and raise the level.”
The U.S. has a good problem that Canadian head coach Casey Stoney mentioned after the match. “All of the U.S. starters are stars at their clubs, ours aren’t,” Stoney began. “It’s a good problem for them to have.” To her point, the USWNT has a trove of young superstars. Claire Hutton is a great example. At just 19 years old, she’s come in for her first camp and scored her first international goal against her country’s rival. Furthermore, you can pick anyone from the U.S. bench from Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit) to Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), and they’re all key figures at their clubs.
Emma Hayes said after the match, “We haven’t won anything”, but the way they’ve been playing, she’ll have to be pleased with her recent call-ups, which will hopefully translate into future wins at a tournament. There have been a host of friendlies, but trophies are what we want and she needs. Tonight’s game wasn’t just a victory; it was a show of dominance.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Richard Randolph