U.S. Women Defeat Canada 2-0

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Women’s World Cup Team was defeated 2-0 by the United States on Tuesday, February 3rd, at the Four Nations Women’s Tournament in Shenzhen, China PR. Canada placed last in the tournament after losing all three games. The team will begin to return from China on Wednesday, February 4th.



This was Canada’s first match against the United States since the third place match at the 2003 Women’s World Cup in Carson, California on October 11th, 2003 to whom Canada lost 3-1.



Lindsey Tarpley scored first in the 13th minute after receiving a throw in from Shannon MacMillan. Tarpley rolled around Charmaine Hooper and sent the ball from four yards out through the legs of Canadian Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc.



“The first half against the United States was even, both teams played with mutual respect and low pressure. Our defense slept on a simple throw in and allowed an easy goal early in the game. The slow start has been a tendency that will have to be addressed,” said head coach Even Pellerud.



The Americans scored their second goal in the 81st minute on a penalty taken by Joy Fawcett that sailed into the right corner past LeBlanc. The penalty came after Marie-Eve Nault tackled Abby Wambach before she could send a shot toward the net.



“In the second half, our players defended deeper and allowed the United States to have more possession. Our defense still had good control and the U.S. had few scoring opportunities. Abby Wambach was tackled on the end line and the penalty kick ended in a 2-0 win for the United States.”



“Our team didn’t win the tournament, but we certainly won tons of experience. These three hard fought games against the highest standard of competition will serve as the best possible preparation for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament.”



The United States won the Four Nations Women’s Tournament with a 2-0-1 record over host China (1-0-2), Sweden (1-1-1), and Canada (0-3-0).



Canada will begin their Olympic Qualifying on Thursday, February 26th against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Costa Rica.



Results



01/30/04tUSA vs Sweden (3:0)

ttChina PR vs Canada (2:1)



02/01/04tSweden vs Canada (3:1)

ttChina PR vs USA (0:0)



02/03/04tUSA vs Canada (2:0)

ttChina PR vs Sweden (2:2)



FOUR NATIONS FINAL STANDINGS

TeamtWtLtTtPTStGFtGAtGD

USAt2t0t1t7t5t0t+5

CHNt1t0t2t5t4t3t+1

SWEt1t1t1t4t5t6t-1

CANt0t3t0t0t2t7t-5



February 3, 2004 – Four Nation Women’s Tournament – China

Shenzhen Stadium – Shenzhen, China

Canada 0 (0)

USA 1 (2)

Goals: USA – Lindsay Tarpley (13); Joy Fawcett (81, PK)

Canada: CAN: 1-Karina LeBlanc; 2-Marie-Eve Nault (4-Sasha Andrews, 83); 5-Andrea Neil (7-Isabelle Morneau, 69); 6-Sharolta Nonen; 10-Charmaine Hooper; 11-Randee Hermus; 12-Christine Sinclair; 13-Diana Matheson; 14-Aysha Jamani (3-Carmelina Moscato, 79); 15-Veronique Maranda (17-Tanya Dennis, 79); 16-Brittany Timko (8-Isabelle Harvey, 83); Head Coach: Even Pellerud

Subs not used: 9-Rhian Wilkinson; 22-Erin McLeod; 22-Taryn Swiatek.

USA: 18-Siri Mullinix; 21-Heather Mitts; 14-Joy Fawcett; 29-Amy LePeilbet; 15-Kate Markgraf; 7-Shannon Boxx; 26-Leslie Osborne (19-Angela Hucles, 77); 11-Julie Foudy (20-Abby Wambach, 46);13-Kristine Lilly, 25-Lindsay Tarpley; 8-Shannon MacMillan (27-Heather O’Reilly, 69); Head Coach: April Heinrichs

Subs not used: 1-Briana Scurry; 2-Kylie Bivens; 3-Christie Rampone; 4-Cat Reddick; 5-Tiffany Roberts; 23-Lori Chalupny.