Canada officially concluded its North American preparations with an international test on Saturday in advance of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The women’s international friendly match wrapped up five months of preparations on this side of the Atlantic following a silver-medal performance at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament in late January at BC Place.
Canada fell 2-1 to CONCACAF rival and defending Olympic champion United States in Sandy, Utah, conceding a late goal to American forward Amy Rodriguez. USA had the lead in the 15th minute after an unfortunate own goal by Canada, but Vancouver Whitecaps FC alum Melissa Tancredi responded with an equaliser for Canada just before the hour mark.
“We had a game plan to keep it tight,” said Canadian head coach John Herdman. “Today, we were one goal away from the potential gold medalists.”
Canada will spend the next two weeks in Switzerland wrapping up the final touches on a six-month program heading into the London 2012 Olympics. Canada's first match in 25 July against defending FIFA Women's World Cup champion Japan.
“Our progress has been quite solid,” said Herdman of the team. “I’m quite happy. Physically we are not too far away from them (USA). Tactically and defensively, our back four was pretty solid and Erin (McLeod) made two world-class saves against the top team in the world.
“We also said there will be a moment when our opportunity will come and we better take it... and along came Tancredi at the right time.”
Twelve teams will compete at the London 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament from July 25 to August 9. Teams are split into three groups, with Great Britain, Brazil, Cameroon and New Zealand in Group E, Canada, Japan, South Africa and Sweden in Group F, and Colombia, France, Korea DPR and USA in Group G. In the London 2012 group phase, Canada will face Japan on July 25, South Africa on July 28, and Sweden on July 31.
From the goal out, Canada's Olympic squad will feature Karina LeBlanc and Erin McLeod as goalkeepers, Emily Zurrer, Carmelina Moscato, Robyn Gayle, Rhian Wilkinson, Candace Chapman, Chelsea Stewart and Lauren Sesselmann as defenders, and Kaylyn Kyle, Diana Matheson, Desiree Scott, Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, Melissa Tancredi, Kelly Parker, Jonelle Filigno and Brittany Timko from the midfield up through to the attack.
For full coverage of Canada's road to the London 2012 Olympics, fans can follow all the news at CanadaSoccer.com. Fans are also encouraged to connect with Canada's national teams via canadasoccer.com/madeforthis, twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN, facebook.com/CanadaSoccer, flickr.com/canadasoccer, and youtube.com/canadasoccertv.
Canada starting XI
Erin McLeod; Rhian Wilkinson, Emily Zurrer, Carmelina Moscato, Lauren Sesselmann; Kaylyn Kyle, Diane Matheson, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt; Brittany Timko, Christine Sinclair
United States starting XI
Hope Solo; Amy LePeilbet, Rachel Buehler, Christine Rampone, Kelley O’Hara; Megan Rapinoe, Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath; Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach
