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TEAM CANADA:

BAD FORTUNE SEES CANADA FALL 1-2 IN LAST SECONDS AT GOLD CUP

27th November, 2006 From a CSA Report

Canada suffered a heartbreaking 1- 2 double extra time loss to the United States in the Championship final of the 2006 CONCACAF Gold Cup played at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California on Sunday afternoon. Rhian's pithy e-mail comment:"Sucks!"

This was the fourth time these teams have met in the championship game of a CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament, but this year's tournament continued to be fraught with bad fortune for the Canadians. In 2002, there was similar bad karma when the United States defeated Canada in the CONCACAF championship Women’s Gold Cup. The USA notched a dramatic sudden death overtime win on a goal from Mia Hamm. On Sunday, the Canadians had to endure another last second defeat, this time from a poorly called penalty shot.

Canada’s only CONCACAF championship (CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament) came after they defeated Mexico 1:0 in 1998 in Toronto, Ontario.

Sunday's match was more about bragging rights and the added silverware to the trophy case than anything else, as both teams have already qualified for the FIFA women’s World Cup with their respective semi-final wins. Canada and the US are familiar opponents, and this was their third meeting in 2006. Only a few weeks ago both teams met in the final of the Peace Queen Cup in South Korea. However, the rivalry between the two teams remains fierce.

After a good start by the Canadians, the USA scrambled home an early score. Leslie Osborne capitalized on a scramble in the penalty box in the sixth minute. Her shot bounced over goalkeeper Erin McLeod and a few Canadian defenders to eventually find the back of the net 0 - 1.

Canada knew they had to take advantage of their speed and aggressive play if they were going to put an end to the USA's 34 game winning streak. Melanie Booth’s shot came close when her 20 yard left footer was barely tipped over the bar by the American goalkeeper Hope Solo at the half hour mark.

The Americans were convinced that they would head into the second half with a 1:0 lead, but Canada proved them wrong when they were awarded a free kick from the right side of the pitch in extra time of the first half. Booth used the opportunity to cross the ball in the penalty spot. The USA, unable to clear the ball, handed an opportunity to Randee Hermus who speared a shot to the top of the goal mouth for the equalizer.

Canada headed into the locker room with momentum, while the USA had to use the break to adjust their game plan. Head Coach Even Pellerud made his first substitution at the 55th minute when Andrea Timko replaced Isabelle Morneau at defence. The only other change in regular time was made 20 minutes later when Andrea Neil replaced Candace Chapman in the midfield.

The intensity really picked up in the last quarter of the second half. There were any number of heavy tackles, some which might have earned a card. There was even a dive by Wambach in the penalty box which the referee waved off, but without any sanction.

However, it was Rhian Wilkinson who picked up a yellow, after slide tackling a ball away from Wambach. Immediately afterwards, Wilkinson herself was taken down with a heavy tackle from behind and the ball not close, but no card was forthcoming. The US had a few chances in the 74th minute, really applying the pressure to Canada which led to an outstanding diving save off the line by McLeod to keep it a tied game.

Then, the USA engineered a a breakaway in the 78th minute and the game looked over, but McLeod was again able to save the day with an initial save and then another on the ensuing rebound.

Canada's turn came when Christine Sinclair had a glorious opportunity at the end of the half, but as she swirled around the American defender with speed, her shot barely missed, finding only the side netting.

For the second consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada and the USA would have to play over time to determine the tournament champion. The first half of extra time showcased few highlights other than a USA strike missing just wide of the far right post while Booth was booked with a yellow card at the 101st minute.

Canada defended well in the last 15 minutes of play. Still, American striker Kristine Lilly came close at the 112th and 117th minutes with hard strikes that sailed inches over the bar on both occasions. The Americans were definitely looking for that winning goal.

Finally, they were given the opportunity on a questionable penalty call from the match referee on a shove in the box that gave the USA a penalty kick in the last minute of extra time. The referee's decision seems harsh on any count, but especially harsh in the light of slow motion replay of the incident. Canada did not deserve to suffer such ill fortune after such a great effort.

Lilly made no mistake with the penalty shot, giving the victory and the tournament crown to the USA.

“I’m proud of our team. We recovered quickly after being down 1:0. Still, it’s a tough way to lose on an unnecessary call in extra time," said head coach Even Pellerud. “This is a game we should have won.”

Canada's bad fortune followed them to the airport. Almost the whole team had to return to the hotel as all flights to Vancouver were cancelled because of a snowstorm!

Match Report:

Attendance: 6,749

Goals:

Canada – Hermus (45+); USA - Osborne (6), Lilly (120+, pk)

Cautions: Canada - – Wilkinson (70), Booth (101); USA - 0

CANADA: 22-McLeod, Erin; 3-Booth, Melanie; 7-Morneau, Isabelle (17-Timko, Brittany 54); 8-Matheson, Diana; 9-Chapman, Candace (5-Neil, Andrea, 79); 10-Franko, Martina; 11-Hermus, Randee; 12-Sinclair, Christine (C); 13-Walsh, Amy (2-Kiss, Kristina, 119); 16-Wilkinson, Rhian; 18-Gayle, Robyn.

Head coach: Even Pellerud

USA: 18-Hope Solo; 2-Heather Mitts; 3-Christie Rampone; 4-Cat Whitehill; 6-Natasha Kai; 7-Marci Miller; 12-Leslie Osborne (11-Carli Lloyd, 93); 13-Kristine Lilly; 15-Kate Markgraf (14-Stephanie Lopez, 03); 16-Angela Hucles (10-Aly Wagner, 57); 20-Abby Wambach;

Head Coach: Greg Ryan