It was clear that the Norwegian ref was inexperienced. Give me a Latin American Ref every time we play against the U.S.A please. Christiana Pedersen made a number of rookie errors throughout the game but for me the most glaring was in 2nd Half when U.S player Morgan was battling Diane Matheson for the ball off a deep pass on the blind quarter (for the linesperson) off our goal box - and Morgan CLEARLY dribbled the ball off-side. It was so obvious that Matheson pulled back expecting a whistle that never came - so Morgan recovered the ball and continued play deep in our end. She passed to a surprised Wambach who fired off a shot that Macleod caught. It did not directly lead to a goal - but certainly indicated how poorly the Ref was positioning herself for calls - as well as the skill of the linesperson. Canada outplayed the U.S in their match and I am sure the American gals know how lucky they were.
And in the Bronze match-up against the French - yes Canada hung in there after leaving it on the field against the U.S - but the beautiful winning goal ending was not the same theft that gave the America their win. The main difference for Canada was I feel an incredible defensive line-up with depth of experience and talent. It was immortalized by Desiree Scott who saved the day in the Bronze medal game against France with her incredible deflection on the goal crease. Still I reserve my true praise for St. Albert AB born Keeper Erin Macleod - who performed incredibly well for both final matches and IMHO must be MVP#2 after Sinclair.
Here is 12 things you don't know about Christine Sinclair #12 and Captain of the squad.
If you hadn't heard of Canadian soccer sensation Christine Sinclair before this week, you certainly have now.
Her three-goal tour de force against the U.S. gave her a permanent place in national Olympic lore, and reinforced what many soccer fans already knew — that she's undoubtedly the best soccer player Canada has ever developed. But she's not well-known among most Canucks.
So, heading into Thursday's bronze-medal match with France, here are 12 facts on our big No. 12:Photo Credit: Canada's Christine Sinclair (12) scores a second goal past USA's Kelley O'Hara (5) and USA keeper Hope Solo (R) in the women's semi final soccer match against at the London 2012 Olympic Games at Old Trafford in Manchester, August 6, 2012. REUTERS/David Moir
QUOTABLE:
- She started playing soccer at age four with the South Burnaby Metro Club Bees in her B.C. hometown
- Attended the University of Portland (Oregon) from 2001 to 2005, where she studied Life Sciences
- As a senior at Portland, she set an all-time NCAA Div. I record by scoring a whopping 39 times en route to a national title.
- ESPN The Magazine named her Academic All-American of the Year (remember, she's Canadian) that season.
- She won the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy — essentially the Heisman of NCAA soccer — in consecutive seasons, just the fourth player to do so.
- Started playing for Team Canada in 2000
- Has made 189 caps, or game appearances, for Canada in senior international play
- Currently has 143 international goals; tied with American Abby Wambach for second all-time. (U.S. soccer legend Mia Hamm holds the record with 158 goals — more than any man or woman in soccer history)
- Her uncles are Bruce Gant (who played for the old North American Soccer League's Portland Timbers) and Brian Gant (who played for the NASL's Vancouver Whitecaps and Timbers)
- Has been named Canada's female player of the year seven times
- Widely considered the best female soccer player on earth
- Turned 29 on June 6
"I don't think I'd want to be the team that plays us next." — an angry Sinclair following the controversial semifinal loss to the U.S. this week
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