Memories of London linger as Canada prepares for U.S. in soccer semis MeaghenJohnson has more:
In front of over 26,000 fans at Old Trafford in Manchester, Canada’s women’s soccer team faced their American rivals in the semifinals of the 2012 London Olympics.For others, it’s a bitter memory of questionable refereeing decisions and injustice to the Canadian team, which overshadowed a hat trick performance by Christine Sinclair in arguably the best game of her career.
Head coach John Herdman had been in the role for less than a year when Canada headed to London. Herdman took over from Carolina Morace, who vacated her position after the 2011 World Cup debacle. Meanwhile, the Americans were coming off a disappointing defeat in the 2011 World Cup final to Japan, losing in penalties. Hungry to reclaim the top of the podium, the United States cruised through their group with a perfect 3-0-0 record and had little difficulties in their quarter-final match, defeating New Zealand 2-0.The stage was set for a semifinal showdown between the CONCACAF rivals. The Canadians, as always, were heavy underdogs against the top-ranked Americans.
The United States were rolling heading into the semifinal. They hadn’t conceded a goal in the tournament since the 14th minute of their opening game against France. She was now tied with Wambach with 142 goals, as she blew a kiss and pumped her fist repeatedly in the air.GOAL – Just three minutes later, the Americans responded. Rapinoe, from the top corner of the box, hammered a shot across goal that ricocheted off the post and in.Off a corner kick from Schmidt, Sinclair once again connected on a superb header, going back across the net for goal No. 143. Almost looking subdued at first in her reaction, Sinclair ran to the sidelines.
It was later revealed that Wambach kept pestering Pedersen about alleged time-wasting by the Canadians. She would loudly count the seconds when McLeod held onto the ball. The tactic worked, as Pedersen made the controversial call.On the ensuing indirect free kick, Rapinoe hammered the ball into the Canadian wall, which struck Nault in the arm. There was no time for the defender to react as she held her arm tightly to her body, attempting to turn away from the shot when the ball hit her.
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