This Day in Football from 17-31 December

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 17 December 1978
Canada wins a silver medal at the 1978 CONCACAF Youth Tournament, falling 0:1 after extra time to Mexico.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 19 December 2010
Canada draws 2:2 with Brazil and wins the II Torneio Internacional in São Paulo. Despite the draw in the championship final, Canada wins first place on goal differential from three earlier matches. Josée Bélanger opens the scoring before Marta reverses the lead with a pair of goals in the second half, the second of which comes on a penalty after Canada is diminished to 10 players. Canada comes back, however, with Christine Sinclair scoring the tournament-winning goal in the 83rd minute.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 20 December 1983
Canada wins 1:0 over Mexico in an Olympic Qualification playoff match in Fort Lauderdale, USA. It marks Canada’s second victory in three matches against Mexico in just over two months. Gerry Gray scores the lone goal of the match.

THIS DAY IN FOOTBALL: 22 December 1976
Canada wins a one-match playoff in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a 3:0 victory over USA. Brian Budd scores the eventual winner before Bob Lenarduzzi and Bob Bolitho put the match out of reach with goals in the last 10 minutes. For Lenarduzzi, it is the first goal of international career. Goalkeeper Zeljko Bilecki – somewhat of a surprise starter in the eyes of the opponent – marks his international debut by posting the clean sheet.