Love ’em or hate ’em, you can’t deny the fact that the American women have dominated women’s soccer for more than 20 years. Their last meaningful loss came at the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany, when Japan shocked them with late tying goals in both regulation and extra time, then ultimately won on penalties.
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The 2015 team started this tournament in lacklustre fashion, but turned it on in the semis and final game. They struck four times in the first 16 minutes in Vancouver, embarrassing the Japanese defense with intense play and raw will in the box. The fourth goal, which capped a hat trick for midfielder Carli Lloyd, was a cheeky chip shot from centre field, as keeper Ayumi Kaihori was caught well off her line shouting directions at her team when they turned over the ball.
It was an odd performance by the Japanese, who looked uncharacteristically rattled by the raucous US-dominated crowd.
More later, notably when Russell and I chat the Women’s World Cup this upcoming Wednesday on the radio show. Check out CIVL Radio, or the podcast later in the week for that riveting discussion!
Not too long ago, an article appeared on the beloved Pucked in the Head spotlighting a rather odd request made by the Seattle Sounders. Jason, being the man that he is, took it upon himself to broadcast the faux pas to the masses, not because he wanted to embarrass the Sounders and their supporters, but because it was the right thing to do.
Must have been served meatloaf.
Surely this was merely an oversight on the Sounders’ marketing and design teams’ parts, and really, who can blame them? Most of us here in North America speak English and Seattle happens to be located approximately 2469.6 miles from the birthplace of the language. That’s a lot of space in which to lose a comma or two during transport. It happens.
But there’s no excuse for the fabricators of this little gem:
PUNCTUATION OPTIONAL!
With England set to take on our beloved Canadians in the quarter-finals at the Women’s World Cup, the cast of the “Bend it like Beckham” musical decided to counsel us to “Come on [their] girls.” My favourite part of the whole thing is the exclamation point, suggesting their message isn’t merely a prompting, but rather a full-fledged directive with authority.
They probably would have been better off sending their well wishes via show tune and skipping the whole “writing” thing altogether.
Most everyone in the media were calling for the Swiss to upset the Canadian national soccer team at the Women’s World Cup. Kudos, then, to the ladies in red, who gutted out a 1-0 win against two of the most dangerous individual threats in the game.
More to come, but here’s a taste:
Josée Belanger heads the ball past Caroline Abbé in FIFA Women’s World Cup action. Canada advanced to the quarter finals with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The Americans brought 50,000 of their closest friends to help defeat Nigeria 1-0 at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The game itself was less than stunning, a statement with which my Pucked in the Head compadre Chris Withers will be happy to concur. With a berth in the knockout rounds almost guaranteed, the US played a conservative, defensive game. They were more content to limit Nigeria’s forward movement than to create any of their own. Consequently, keeper Hope Solo had little to do but wave at her adoring fans and glare at the officials.
The Globe and Mail’s Cathal Kelly has been making a lot of friends lately.
The sports columnist for the national rag has raised the hackles of more than a few with his coverage of the Women’s World Cup. He began on June 4th, with a mildly amusing and utterly harmless hit piece on the city of Edmonton in which he suggested that Toronto would have been a more appropriate host with the eyes of the world watching the opening ceremonies. He was half right. Edmonton wasn’t the best choice. Yesterday, Kelly continued to aggravate women’s soccer fans when he panned the entire tournament to date as boring and dreary. Once again, he wasn’t wrong.
The Americans brought 50,000 of their closest friends to help defeat Nigeria 1-0 at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup; they didn’t seem to think it was boring or dreary. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Defender Ingrid Rodriguez has some choice words for the refereeing during Ecuador’s 6-nil loss to Cameroon. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
On the eve of Vancouver’s second double header of the tournament, we revisit the first. Cameroon spanked Ecuador 6-nil despite the teams sitting just five spots apart in the FIFA world rankings. I suppose that’s what you get when an African country plays far fewer meaningful international friendlies in the months leading up to the Women’s World Cup — Cameroon is far better than its 53rd place ranking would suggest. Check 33rd ranked Nigeria shocking the fifth ranked Swedes with a hard fought 3-3 draw in their first game.
The clear choice for Woman of the Match was Gaelle Enganamouit, who galloped into the box with abandon, scoring from the run of play and the penalty spot with equal ease. She put the ball into the back of the net three times, in fact, in 90 minutes equalling the entire offensive output of Group A’s four teams over the course of four games.
Gaelle Enganamouit of Cameroon was the class of opening day, scoring thrice to lead her team to a 6-nil victory. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
In the second match of the day, Switzerland did everything but score on the defending champion Japanese. Most impressive were their lauded stars, numbers 10 and 11, Ramona Bachmann and Lara Dickenmann. Bachmann made one run in particular that left four Japanese defenders and their behemoth goaltender flailing on the turf — more than one observer compared the play to something Lionel Messi might put together. If she hadn’t slipped on the end line, she would no doubt have danced the ball into the net for the goal of the tournament.
Romana Bachmann did her best to give Switzerland the glory, but Japan won 1-nil in their first group match at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
While Canada has struggled to score in Group A, they’ve also managed consecutive clean sheets against China and New Zealand to remain atop their group standings. Thankfully, the Germans, Cameroonians, Norwegians and Nigerians, to name a few squads, have put some impressive highlight reels together.
Why can’t we be friends? These fans enjoyed the opening game despite having rather different affiliations. Japan beat the Swiss 1-nil in their first group match at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to get underway in a few days’ time. For those new to the game, as they say, you can’t tell the players without a program — so here’s the Team Canada roster, including social media info for your tweeting pleasure.
Team Canada, the host team of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
Team Canada forward Josée Bélanger moves the ball upfield during an international friendly. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
3
D
Kadeisha Buchanan
19
@keishaballa
Kadeisha Buchanan communicates with her teammates during international friendly action. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
15
D
Allysha Chapman
26
@allyshachapman
Team Canada defender Allysha Chapman during international friendly action. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
16
F
Jonelle Filigno
24
@JFiligno
Forward Jonelle Filigno in her official Team Canada portrait. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
17
M
Jessie Fleming
17
@_jessiefleming
Team Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming during international friendly action against England earlier in 2015. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
5
D
Robyn Gayle
29
@RobynGayle5
Team Canada defender Robyn Gayle moves the ball upfield during international friendly action against Sweden. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
18
M
Selenia Iacchelli
28
@syacc
Team Canada midfielder Selenia Iacchelli takes stock of the situation during training for the 2015 Women's World Cup. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
6
M
Kaylyn Kyle
26
@KaylynKyle
Team Canada midfielder Kaylyn Kyle in international friendly action against England in May 2015. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
21
GK
Stephanie Labbé
28
@stephlabbe1
Keeper Stephanie Labbé leaps for a ball during Team Canada training in Germany. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
22
M
Ashley Lawrence
19
@A_Lawrence99
Team Canada midfielder Ashley Lawrence lays her right foot into the ball during an international friendly against England. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
23
GK
Karina LeBlanc
35
@karinaleblanc
Keeper Karina Leblanc blocks a shot during Team Canada training. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
19
F
Adriana Leon
22
@LeonAdriana9
Team Canada forward Adriana Leon pushes upfield during international friendly action. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
8
M
Diana Matheson
31
@dmatheson8
Team Canada midfielder Diana Matheson scoots along the flank during international friendly action against Germany. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
1
GK
Erin McLeod
32
@erinmcleod18
Keeper Erin McLeod in her official Team Canada portrait. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
4
D
Carmelina Moscato
31
@cmoscato4
Team Canada defender Carmelina Moscato looks to clear a ball during an international friendly against the USA. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
20
D
Marie-Eve Nault
33
@menault20
Team Canada defender Marie-Eve Nault pushes the ball upfield during international friendly action against Italy. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
13
M
Sophie Schmidt
26
@sophieschmidt13
Team Canada midfielder Sophie Schmidt crosses the ball during international friendly action against the Republic of Ireland. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
11
M
Desiree Scott
27
@MsDScott11
Team Canada midfielder Desiree Scott steals the ball during international friendly action against the USA. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
10
D
Lauren Sesselmann
31
@lsesselmann
Team Canada defender Lauren Sesselmann keeps position during an international friendly against France. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
12
F
Christine Sinclair
31
@sincy12
Team Canada striker Christine Sinclair closes in on yet another scoring opportunity during an international friendly against South Korea. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
14
F
Melissa Tancredi
33
@MelTancredi14
Canadian forward Melissa Tancredi chests down a forward ball during an international friendly against Japan. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
7
D
Rhian Wilkinson
33
@rhirhi8
Team Canada defender Rhian Wilkinson directs traffic prior to a throw-in during an international friendly. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
2
D
Emily Zurrer
27
@emme_z
Team Canada defender Emily Zurrer tracks down a ball during an international friendly against Germany. Photo courtesy of Soccer Canada.
