MANCHESTER, England (Aug. 6, 2012) – With a flair for the dramatic, Alex Morgan scored the game-winning goal in the 123rd minute and the U.S. Women’s National Team overcame three deficits during regulation to defeat Canada 4-3 in overtime on Monday in the semifinal stage to advance to the gold medal game of the 2012 Olympics.
The USA advances to its fifth straight gold medal game, setting up a rematch of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Defending World Cup champion Japan defeated France 2-1 in Monday’s other semifinal.
The gold medal match between the U.S. and Japan kicks off at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, at Wembley Stadium in London. The match will be televised on the NBC Sports Network.
Megan Rapinoe scored the first two goals for the U.S. and Abby Wambach scored her fifth game in five Olympic matches to force overtime in the U.S. WNT’s 500th career international match. The USA is vying for its fourth Olympic gold medal and third in a row.
- U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report -
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Canada
Date: Aug. 6, 2012
Competition: 2012 Olympic Games; Semifinal
Venue: Old Trafford; Manchester, England
Kickoff: 7:45 p.m. local (2:45 p.m. ET)
Attendance: 26,640
Weather: 66 degrees, mostly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 ET1 ET2 F
USA 0 3 0 1 4
CAN 1 2 0 0 3
CAN – Christine Sinclair (Melissa Tancredi) 22nd minute
USA – Megan Rapinoe 54
CAN – Christine Sinclair (Melissa Tancredi) 67
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Kelley O’Hara) 70
CAN – Christine Sinclair (Kaylyn Kyle) 73
USA – Abby Wambach (penalty kick) 80
USA – Alex Morgan (Heather O’Reilly) 120+3
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 6-Amy LePeilbet (11-Sydney Leroux, 76), 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 16-Rachel Buehler (4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 110), 5-Kelley O’Hara; 15-Megan Rapinoe, 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Lauren Cheney (9-Heather O’Reilly, 101), 17-Tobin Heath; 13-Alex Morgan, 14-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 2-Heather Mitts, 7-Shannon Boxx, 8-Amy Rodriguez, 18-Nicole Barnhart
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
CAN: 18-Erin McLeod; 7-Rhian Wilkinson, 4-Carmelina Moscato, 10-Lauren Sesselmann, 20-Marie-Eve Nault (3-Chelsea Stewart, 101); 8-Diana Matheson, 11-Desiree Scott, 13-Sophie Schmidt; 12-Christine Sinclair, 14-Melissa Tancredi, 16-Jonelle Filigno (6-Kaylyn Kyle, 67)
Subs not used: 1-Karina LeBlanc, 2-Emily Zurrer, 5-Robyn Gayle, 9-Candace Chapman, 15-Kelly Parker, 17-Brittany Timko
Head coach: John Herdman
Statistical Summary: USA / CAN
Shots: 24 / 7
Shots on Goal: 11 / 7
Saves: 4 / 7
Corner Kicks: 13 / 5
Fouls: 20 / 22
Offside: 2 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
CAN – Desiree Scott (caution) 60th minute
CAN – Melissa Tancredi (caution) 79
Officials:
Referee: Christina Pedersen (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Hege Steinlund (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Lada Rojc (CRO)
Fourth Official: Hong Eun Ah (KOR)
