Edmonton, Alberta – Canada's emotional and remarkable run in the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship came to an end Sunday when they lost the championship final 1-0 to the United States on a golden goal in the 109th minute. American captain Lindsay Tarpley scored from a scramble in front of the Canadian goal, hitting a shot past goalkeeper Erin McLeod in front of a packed crowd of 47,194 flag-waving fans at Commonwealth Stadium.

“It was a wonderful day for soccer,” said Canadian head coach Ian Bridge. “It was a great final and I don't have too much to be disappointed about. It's been an incredible experience. We have received fantastic support here in Edmonton and across the country and it's going to be hard to say goodbye.”

The Canadians came close to winning the game in the dying minutes of regulation. In the 88th minute, Katie Thorlakson set up Christine Sinclair but her shot was easily handled by US goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. Seconds later Thorlakson hit a left-footed shot right at Harris. With only seconds on the clock Sinclair found herself alone in front of goal but her left footed shot sailed over the bar.

Sinclair was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (earning the Golden Ball) and was also the recipient of the Golden Boot for finishing as the competition's top scorer with 10 goals in six games.

After a scoreless and cautious first half, the game exploded in the second half with the Canadians enjoying the majority of the chances.

Thorlakson, who worked tirelessly all game, had a great chance to score when she split the US defence in the 54th minute, after a great dummy by Sinclair, but her shot was saved by Harris. Carmelina Moscato then came close on the rebound but it was blocked. On the ensuing corner, Moscato hit the cross bar.

Canada had another chance to break the deadlock in the 58th minute when Sinclair ran at the US defence and then slid a ball across the 18-yard box to Thorlakson who redirected the ball past Harris but off the post.

McLeod came up with a huge save in the 60th minute when she blocked a point blank shot by Tarpley.

With 15 minutes left in regulation, Thorlakson did some great work to work herself into position and lay a ball across the front of goal to Sinclair who was charging into the area, but Jessica Ballweg made a great tackle to keep the score level.

Late in the second half, Robyn Gayle came on for Kara Lang and Candace Chapman moved into central midfield. Bridge opted for what resembled a 5-3-2 formation for the game with Lang moving into the midfield from the wing and Amy Vermuelen dropping back into a more defensive role. The tactical switch worked as the vaunted US attack, which had scored at least four goals in each of its previous five games, was held in check.

Sunday, September 1, 2002 – FIFA U19 Women's World Championship Final
Commonwealth Stadium – Edmonton, Alberta
Attendance: 47,784 (sellout)
Canada \t\t0
USA\t\t1
Goal: USA: Lindsay Tarpley (109)
Cautions: Robyn Gayle (107)
Referee: Dianne Ferreira-James (GUY)
Assistant Referees: Maria Tovar (MEX), Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)
Fourth Official: Cristina Ionescu (ROM)
Canada: Erin McLeod, Sasha Andrews, Carmelina Moscato, Amy Vermeulen, Clare Rustad, Candace Chapman, Christine Sinclair (Captain), Melanie Booth, Kara Lang (Robyn Gayle, 74), Katie Thorlakson, Brittany Timko. Head coach: Ian Bridge
USA: Ashlyn Harris, Rachel Buehler (Jessica Ballweg, 13), Jill Oakes, Lori Chalupny, Kendall Fletcher, Heather O'Reilly, Leslie Osbourne, Keeley Dowling, Manya Makoski (Angela Woznuk, 60, Megan Kakadelas, 105), Lindsay Tarpley, Kelly Wilson. Head coach: Tracey Leone

For more information please contact:
Morgan Quarry (780) 426-3636 ext.: 230 or media@soccercan.ca
Or visit our web site: www.canadasoccer.com

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