USWNT: Victorious Send Off from Sandy, Utah

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Sandy, Utah (June 30, 2012)-With the Summer Olympic Games less than a month away, the U.S. Women's National Team squared off against their northern neighbors in their last warm-up before leaving for London. The match took place at Rio Tinto Stadium, home to MLS team Real Salt Lake before a crowd of close to 17,000 fans. The U.S. WNT provided an entertaining afternoon of soccer with a 2-1 win that was also broadcast live on NBC. 

With temperatures nearing 90 degrees, the U.S. women began the match energized and looking to get an early jump on Canada. Wearing their new red and white striped home kits the first half was controlled by the home team largely due to the strong effort by midfielder Megan Rapinoe.

Rapinoe has been back in the starting lineup the past few games for Coach Pia Sundhage and started this game on the right side as part of the 4-4-2 formation that Sundhage has been favoring this year. Also at midfield were Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney and Tobin Heath. On defense was Kelley O'Hara, Rachel Buehler, Christie Rampone and Amy LePeilbet (O'Hara on the left). And at the top of the key were forwards Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach. 

With the U.S. controlling much of the tempo for the first half, Canada looked sluggish as they fought to keep pace. The U.S. women from the start had several opportunities though could not covert on their own until the 15th minute when Rapinoe sent a free kick towards the goal that was assisted in by Canadian defender Carmelina Moscato for an own goal. Goalkeeper Hope Solo was not challenged until the final minutes of the first half when she made an incredible save on the goal line that had the Canadian side begging for a replay.

The second half began with several substitutions that illustrates just how deep the American team is as several of the replacements have spent time as starters for the national team. Heather Mitts came in for LePeilbet, Heather O'Reilly in for Heath, Carli Lloyd for Boxx, and in a rare replacement Becky Sauerbrunn in for captain Rampone.

After only a few minutes into the half an unplanned substitution was needed for Morgan who landed awkwardly on her right knee after colliding with a Canadian defender. Able to walk off the field on her own, she spent the remainder of the game on the sideline icing her knee and no doubt sending a slight panic to her team members. Amy Rodriguez quickly came in as her substitute.  

One of the main concerns for the U.S. team heading to London has been untimely breakdowns in their defense. This game unfortunately saw one of those develop in the 57th minute when Melissa Tancredi scored off of a feed by Canadian striker Christine Sinclair. Solo was forced off her line and watched helplessly as the ball flew over her head to give Canada the equalizing goal. 

The defense did step up however with some big saves as Buehler made a key stop in the 75th minute when it looked like Canada might have a shot to take the lead. Mitts also had a deflection only minutes later that could have easily given the Canadians another good look at a goal.

With less than fifteen minutes remaining in the game the U.S. switched to a 3-4-3 formation with forward Sydney Leroux coming into the game giving Wambach and Rodriguez some assistance on top. The offensive pressure paid off. With only a few minutes left in regulation Rodriguez scored off of a deflected shot from Wambach to give the U.S. the winning goal. 

The U.S. players gave the crowd a unique celebration after that goal as they lay on the ground and did "snow angels". A tribute to their last game at Rio Tinto Stadium in March of 2010 when the temperature was 34 degrees and the field was snow covered. 

In what became a very physical game in the second half between the two teams, Sundhage must be pleased by the effort put forth by not only her starters but also her subs. Rapinoe clearly was sending a message that she wants to remain in the starting lineup, while Rodriguez showed how determined she is to get in her much deserved minutes. This appears to be the starting lineup that Sundhage will put on the field when the team looks to defend their gold medal in London. 

Barring a serious injury report regarding Morgan, this game proved to be a great send off for the U.S. as they now have only twenty-five days until their first Olympic game against France. The national team will get a little over a week off before heading overseas to the United Kingdom on July 10th to finish their final preparations for the summer games. 

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