A Night Full of Celebrations
The US Women’s National Team marks the fourth consecutive title in this tournament, which is the longest unbeaten streak in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying history.
Republished News from US Soccer – The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Canada 2-0 on second half goals from Lindsey Horan and Tobin Heath to win the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The win marks the fourth consecutive title in this tournament for the USA which has the longest unbeaten streak in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying history and an overall 18-0-1 record. The USA earned its berth to the 2016 Olympics by defeating Trinidad & Tobago in the semifinal on Feb. 19.
Horan opened the scoring on a header in the 53rd minute off an assist from Becky Sauerbrunn, who was celebrating her 100th appearance with the U.S. WNT. Heath added the second and final goal of the match in the 61st minute with a nifty finish after a weaving dribble and assist from Mallory Pugh. Pugh and Heath had combined for the winning goal against T&T two days earlier on a remarkably similar play.
In addition to winning the tournament title, the U.S. women also swept the individual awards. Hope Solo won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper, Crystal Dunn took the Golden Boot as top scorer with six and Morgan Brian won the Golden Ball as best player. The USA also took home the Fair Play Award and had eight players named to the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Best XI: Solo, Kelley O’Hara, Sauerbrunn, Horan, Brian, Heath, Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd.
Solo earned her 95th shutout and recorded her 144th win, further extending her U.S. records.
Goal Scoring Rundown
USA – Lindsey Horan (Becky Sauerbrunn), 53rd minute: In her 100th cap, Becky Sauerbrunn brought down a clearance inside Canada’s half and lofted a ball back over the defense and deep into the penalty box. Horan beat her defender and the charging goalkeeper to the ball to flick home a header into the open net for her second international score and her first of the tournament. USA 1, CAN 0 (SEE GOAL)
USA – Tobin Heath (Mallory Pugh), 61st minute: In a similar combination of players and events as the USA’s first goal in the competition’s semifinal match two days prior, Mallory Pugh made a dynamic run down the left flank. She beat her defender with a brilliant nutmeg and then raced into the box before playing a square ball on the ground through the penalty area. Tobin Heath made a hard run to the middle of the box and smashed a left- footer inside the near post for her 14th international score. USA 2, CAN 0 (SEE GOAL) FINAL.
Key Saves and Defensive Stops
USA – Hope Solo, 71st minute: Canada’s only shot on goal came in the 71st minute when Melissa Tancredi sent a menacing header towards the near post on the left side, but Solo was up to the task, reacting well to make the save and send the ball out of play for a corner kick. She then grabbed the ensuring cross to maintain the clean sheet and earn her 95th shutout.
CAN – Allysha Chapman, 88th minute: Tobin Heath once again had a fantastic opportunity to score from short range but Chapman’s quick reaction to block the shot near the goal line that was headed into the lower right corner kept the score down.
Next on the Schedule
The U.S. WNT will face England in the opening match of the inaugural SheBelieves Cup on March 3 (7:30 p.m. ET; FS1) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The She Believes Cup will run from March 3-9 and will take place in Tampa and Boca Raton, Florida, and Nashville, Tenn. The other two nations participating in the four-nation tournament that features a quartet of the world’s top five teams are France and Germany. Click here for the full tournament schedule.
Source: US Soccer (ussoccer.com)
