Norm
Da Costa: Canadian Soccer Comes of Age
by Winnipeg Fury
Canadian soccer comes of age
Women earn tie with U.S. squad
in physical game
Norman Da Costa
Canada scored twice, but had
to settle for a 2-2 tie against the United States, the World Cup champion,
before 9,023 wildly cheering fans at Varsity Stadium.
It was the biggest
crowd ever to watch a women's game in Canada.
Canada took the lead, but
the vastly experienced Americans equalized and went ahead before Christine
Sinclair scored to get a well-deserved tie in a game that was punctuated by some
heavy tackling.
"This is what international soccer is all about," said
national coach Even Pellerud, talking about the physical game.
"I think
we played very well and we have the potential to do well in the future, but we
need more international games," he
added.
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Canada
2, U.S. 2
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The
United States was looking for revenge after falling twice to the Canadians in
the previous two matches, 3-0 and 3-1, but the Canadians showed a sense of
maturity and composure.
Star striker Charmaine Hooper, who earned her
78th cap, put Canada ahead in the 14th minute, but Shannon MacMillan netted the
equalizer in the 28th minute and Tiffeny Milbrett added the second U.S. goal
with a long-range shot in the 57th.
The Americans' joy was short-lived.
Within a minute, 18-year-old Christine Sinclair blasted Canada's second into the
roof of the net from close range.
"I am disappointed that we did not win;
we had so many chances," said Hooper, whose goal was her 48th for
Canada.
"We stuck to our game plan; we may not be pretty to watch, but we
do what works best for us."
Hooper was particularly disappointed that the
right post kept out her free kick in the 63rd minute with goalkeeper Jaimie
Pagliarulo well beaten.
"That was a heartbreaker. That will play in my
head all night."
Hooper said Canada can now take on the best teams in the
world, since the offence is beginning to jell and the defence covers up most of
the threats.
Christine Latham, Sinclair and Burtini showed vision and
speed, while Burtini controlled the midfield. For the U.S., skipper Julie Foudy
was once again brilliant, as was Cindy Parlow.
The U.S. moved into top
gear in the second half with Milbrett coming on as a substitute. She gave
Canadian goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek, who was making her third appearance, some
anxious moments.
Canada was unfortunate to lose captain Amy Walsh in the
eighth minute when she twisted her ankle. She will miss Tuesday's return match
in Blaine, Minn.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the U.S. under-19
women beat their Canadian counterparts 1-0.
.
.