USA vs Canada women’s soccer score, result as Mallory Swanson brace leads dominant USWNT victory in SheBelieves Cup

By | February 16, 2023
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Vlatko Andonovski and the United States had plenty of questions to answer as the start of the SheBelieves Cup marked the home stretch of Women’s World Cup preparation.

They answered many of those questions with authority as they dominated northern neighbors Canada in a 2-0 victory to begin the annual competition. Mallory Swanson continued her rise to the top of the international stage, scoring a brace to lead the forward line (her fourth and fifth goals in the first three international matches of the year), but it was a full team performance from the hosts in Orlando, Florida.

The midfield, which looked thin on paper after injuries to Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis, was totally dominant, with Lindsey Horan in particular taking total control of the match in a role with the freedom to drop deep or carry forward. Alex Morgan was honored before the game for breaking the 200-cap barrier, but there were some doubts as to the support she’d have up front as the World Cup neared. Swanson was there to put those questions to bed, turning on the afterburners on multiple occasions and coming up big in front of goal. Trinity Rodman was stellar in the second half too, although it did not result in a goal.

Canada, amidst a very public and draining equal pay battle with the federation, looked as if their minds were, understandably, elsewhere. They forced one big save from U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher just before halftime, but otherwise were toothless from start to finish. Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan is the only player who can be truly lauded, keeping the scoreline at a respectable level when it could have been much worse.

Matches against Japan and Brazil loom for both sides to finish out the SheBelieves Cup, and the U.S. will go for its fourth straight SheBelieves Cup title.

MORE: What is the SheBelieves Cup? Get the scoop on annual event with schedule, teams and more

The Sporting News followed the USA vs. Canada match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

USA vs Canada final score

  1H 2H Final
USA 2 0 2
Canada 0 0 0

Goals:
7th min — USA — Mallory Swanson
34th min — USA — Mallory Swanson

Confirmed lineups:

USWNT (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Naeher (GK) — 23-Fox, 3-Cook, 4-Sauerbrunn, 19-Dunn (Sonnett, 46′) — 10-Horan (Kornieck, 88′), 17-Sullivan, 2-Sanchez (K. Mewis, 61′) — 5-Rodman (Williams, 78′), 13-Morgan (Hatch, 61′), 9-Swanson (Purce, 88′).

Canada (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 10-Lawrence, 3-Buchanan, 14-Gilles, 2-Chapman (Hellstrom, 46′) — 17-Fleming, 7-Grosso (Awujo, 65′) — 16-Beckie (Rose, 77′), 12-Sinclair (Quinn, 57′), 19-Leon (Lacasse, 57′) — 9-Huitema (Viens, 77′).

USA vs Canada as it happened: Highlights and commentary

FULLTIME: USA 2-0 Canada

The match comes to an unceremonious end, as Canada possess the ball but can’t create any chances under heavy U.S. pressure with every touch. It’s a resounding performance from the United States, who may only feel let down that they didn’t punish Canada further for their inferior play.

While Mallory Swanson will get the plaudits for her brace, it was a dominant performance overall. The midfield ran the game, with Lindsey Horan, Ashley Sanchez, and Andi Sullivan all performing well, and Kristie Mewis excellent off the bench. Trinity Rodman and Alex Morgan aided Swanson in a support role as well, while Alyssa Naeher made an exceptional save prior to halftime.

USWNT vs Canada: Second half

90th min: Goodness, Taylor Kornieck put her body on the line there as she put her head in the way of a blistering long-range shot from Canada. She’ll feel that one in the morning. There are five minutes of added time.

85th min: The U.S. is seeing this match out with very little challenge from the sixth-ranked Canadians. Canada have done nothing of note since the second half started, while the U.S. are controlling every aspect of the match.

Midge Purce and Taylor Kornieck are coming in shortly, to replace Lindsey Horan and Mallory Swanson.

83rd min: The substitute Jenna Hellstrom heads into the book for a brutal challenge on Emily Sonnett, coming in through the plant foot from behind. Sonnett ends up face down on the ground, and gets up with a face full of grass, with some harsh words for nobody in particular, upset about that tackle. Eventually, as play restarts, Hellstrom comes over and high-fives Sonnett.

81st min: Chance, USA! How did that not go in the net? A stellar cross from Kristie Mewis comes in from the left, and two U.S. attackers can’t get to it. Ashley Hatch completely whiffs, and then Lynn Williams loops the ball awkwardly up and out of play, just a whisker wide of the far post.

78th min: Now Vlatko Andonovski counters with another sub of his own, seeing Trinity Rodman head to the bench. She was outstanding this half, and it’s a negative sub for the USWNT, but understandable with the game all but wrapped up. You might have expected Mallory Swanson to come off, as she’s faded since halftime, but Andonovski may wish to give her a chance at getting her hat-trick. Lynn Williams is the replacement for Rodman.

75th min: Chance, USA! Kailen Sheridan makes another big save! Lindsey Horan’s long-ball lands perfectly in the path of Kristie Mewis, and the substitute holds off her defender to touch laterally to Ashley Hatch. Sheridan comes out to challenge, and Hatch can’t find a way through with Sheridan smothering the chance. It’s a great opportunity, and Hatch will wish she had done better!

Canada makes another two changes, with Jordyn Huitema and Janine Beckie off, replaced by Jade Rose and Evelyne Viens. It’s surprising that Beckie has been withdrawn, as she has been one of the better players for Canada on the ball.

70th min: The U.S. comes close again, with Trinity Rodman yet again involved, but Kristie Mewis gets the ball stuck at her feet and can’t get a shot off. Rodman has another bite but can’t beat her defender. The young American winger has been electric after halftime.

68th min: Chance, USA! Trinity Rodman again creates a chance, latching onto a vertical ball from Lindsey Horan. Her cross to Ashley Hatch at the near post is only cut out with a last-ditch tackle on the slide from Kadeisha Buchanan. Mallory Swanson’s corner to the near post is cleared.

64th min: The substitute Hatch goes right into the attack, but Vanessa Gilles makes a great challenge to dispossess her at the edge of the penalty area. Lindsey Horan goes down under a Jessie Fleming tackle, which earns the Canadian midfielder the game’s first yellow card. Julia Grosso is replaced by Simi Awujo for Canada.

Weirdly, U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is receiving treatment. Really hard to say what might have happened, but she’s having her left leg stretched out. She’s hardly had anything to do. Doesn’t appear to be serious, and she’s back in the fray.

60th min: Trinity Rodman is causing Canada problems down the right flank. Julia Fleming fouls Mallory Swanson, giving the U.S. a free-kick, and giving Vlatko Andonovski an opportunity to make two more changes of his own.

Alex Morgan and Ashley Sanchez will come off, with Ashley Hatch and Kristie Mewis to come on. Andonovski likely feels this game is pretty much secure, so he can give the two subs a look. It was a tough night for Morgan in front of goal, but she contributed significantly in the buildup, getting the assist on Swanson’s opener.

57th min: More changes for Canada who continue to be pinned back in their own half. Christine Sinclair comes off, having been unable to get on the ball much, with Quinn replacing the legendary Canadian forward. Also Adriana Leon comes off in favor of Cloe Lacasse of Benfica.

50th min: Chance, USA! Trinity Rodman absolutely shreds Janine Beckie down the right flank and has acres of space to run into. She enters the penalty area and feeds the ball to Alex Morgan, and while the U.S. striker couldn’t collect the heater, it falls to Ashley Sanchez right on the doorstep. It looks for all the world like the third U.S. goal would be coming, but somehow at the last possible moment, Vanessa Gilles steps in to get the ball off Sanchez.

Sanchez then goes down under a challenge from Kadeisha Buchanan, with the USWNT screaming for a penalty, but the referee waves play on. It’s the right decision, as the replay shows Buchanan got a touch on the ball.

Kickoff: The second half has begun, with changes for both sides. Vlatko Andonovski brings on Emily Sonnett for Crystal Dunn, who’s still building up her fitness after over a year off. For Canada it’s also a full-back change, with Jenna Hellstrom coming in for Allysha Chapman, putting Hellstrom up front on the wing and moving Beckie back to the defensive line.

It will be interesting to see how Canada head coach Bev Priestman plays this second half. They were dominated in the opening 45 minutes but had a few good chances at the very end, which could fuel some promise. We’ll see if Priestman takes that as a sign that things can improve, or if she looks to make more changes soon.

HALFTIME: USA 2-0 Canada

What a first half performance from the United States. They pressed early and often, forcing Canada into numerous mistakes. A turnover led to the opening goal from Mallory Swanson, and she pounced on a bad back-pass for the second. What a performance from Swanson, who is staking her claim as one of the best attackers in the world.

Mallory Swanson is a rising star. She’s been on the national team stage for a while now, but is still just 24 years old and has a lot of time to continue slamming in goals for the USWNT. Can she get her first international hat-trick tonight?

USWNT vs Canada: First half

45+1 min: Chance, Canada! What a save by Alyssa Naher! Janine Beckie gets space on the counter-attack as the U.S. falls asleep a bit heading into halftime, and she rips one out atop the penalty area, but Naher is smart to the chance with a diving stop that looked eerily similar to that of Kailen Sheridan from earlier in the half.

43rd min: Chance, Canada! It’s the first opportunity in front of net for the visitors all match, coming off a corner, and it’s the player you want on the end of it, Christine Sinclair. You’d expect the all-time international leading goalscorer to bag that headed chance, but she loops it over the bar, just slightly off balance while falling back a bit.

42nd min: Mallory Swanson has kicked it into another gear after getting her two goals, clearly in search of a hat-trick. She very nearly picks the pocket of Allysha Chapman with exceptional pressing, but just barely whiffs.

38th min: Vanessa Gilles may have been at fault for the earlier mistake, but she probably saved a goal here by throwing her body in front of an Alex Morgan chance that otherwise would have been a clean look on goal. Ashley Sanchez takes a knock in a challenge and receives treatment, but comes back on.

34th min: GOAL! USA! WHACK goes Andi Sullivan, an absolutely thumping challenge on Adriana Leon. Clean, as she got the ball and kept her studs down, but it had to hurt.

That keeps the ball alive for the U.S. and pins Canada further back. Vanessa Gilles then comes up with a catastrophic mistake, as her back-pass to Kailen Sheridan was horribly under-hit, and Mallory Swanson pounces for her second of the night! What a start to the year for Swanson, her fifth goal in her last three matches!

Watch in USA:

Watch in Canada:

31st min: The game has ground to a halt since Canada began looking to possess the ball. Neither side able to create much through the opponent’s half. The U.S. will feel they may deserve a second goal from all their early pressure, as Canada possess significant danger and talent, meaning a second goal will be critical.

25th min: Canada are holding their first real spell of possession, knocking it around their back four but unable to find a way through the U.S. formation. There’s no passing lanes to be found.

20th min: Couple of great defensive plays, one on either end. Crystal Dunn races back to beat Jordyn Huitema to a deep ball, clearing it and winning a free kick. Then Kadeisha Buchanan makes a great tackle on Mallory Swanson who was clean through on goal.

Swanson is down after the coming together, which is a concern for the U.S. It was a really physical challenge, as Buchanan came bulldozing through somewhat out of control, but she got the ball so the referee allowed play to continue. Swanson is up after a good amount of time on her backside, walking off gingerly. She looks to be ok, potentially having the wind knocked out of her.

16th min: Chance, USA! Lindsey Horan hits the woodwork! Her header is a clean one, leaping high into the air well over Ashley Lawrence to reach the ball from deep, but it just clips the left post and comes out. She had beaten Kailen Sheridan, so close!

Alex Morgan is being repeatedly hacked by the Canada defense in the early stages of this match. She draws another foul at the edge of the attacking third off pressure from Vanessa Gilles.

13th min: Canada have their first venture into the attacking third, but Allyssa Naher claims the cross. The visitors are finally starting to build into the match after hardly having a kick of the ball in the opening 10 minutes.

10th min: There’s concern here for Alex Morgan, who’s down receiving treatment for what looks to be something with her foot. That’s got the Exploria Stadium crowd silent, but she gets up and walks to the sideline under her own power, preparing to get back on the field to a rousing applause.

7th min: GOAL! USA! It’s been coming, and Mallory Swanson produces a BRILLIANT goal! The entry feed into the penalty area comes to the feet of Alex Morgan with her back to goal, and it’s a bit hot for the U.S. striker to handle, but she does her best to settle it for Swanson. The ball is a bobbler, but Swanson produces a glorious leg whip and rips it past Kailen Sheridan into the back of the net.

You cannot produce a better effort from such an awkward bobbling assist, and the early USWNT pressure bears fruit! It’s a goal in a fourth straight U.S. game for Swanson, she’s on fire.

Watch in USA:

Watch in Canada:

5th min: The U.S. pressure continues as Canada is pressed into oblivion in their own half. Lindsey Horan has a great chance in the penalty area but her shot is blocked at the last possible moment by a Canada defender, and eventually the offside flag goes up on Alex Morgan. The pressure is unrelenting here early on!

3rd min: Chance, USA! A SENSATIONAL save by Kailen Sheridan, as the USWNT pour on the attack early! Alex Morgan feeds a lateral ball for Ashley Sanchez in acres of space at the top of the penalty area, and her curler is only bested by a full-stretch diving save by Sheridan. The Canada goalkeeper has been active early!

1st min: Chance, USA! Just 15 seconds into the match, Mallory Swanson forces a save out of Kailen Sheridan! Lindsey Horan runs the break, and while the feed to Swanson is awkward, it still results in a tight-angle shot. The 2022 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year is up to the task.

Kickoff: After Alex Morgan’s ceremony, Canada players took the field in purple shirts that had “Enough is Enough” written on them for the national anthems, but have since switched to their regular shirts before gathering in a circle at the middle of the field along with the U.S. squad in a moment of solidarity.

The national anthems have been played, and we’re underway with kickoff in Orlando! Women’s World Cup prep has reached the home stretch, with very few international windows left for preparation.

USWNT vs Canada: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

2 mins to kick: Alex Morgan is honored on the field before the match for her 200th cap, presented with her jersey from the New Zealand match which was her double century. Charlie is holding a rose for her! 🥺

10 mins to kick: Alex Morgan sporting boots that recognize her entry into the 200-cap club. She’ll make her 202nd appearance tonight! Fun fact: Morgan’s 13 goals since the birth of her daughter Charlie make her tied for first in U.S. history for goals scored as a mother. One more today would give her yet another record!

23 mins to kick: It was somewhat surprising to see Naomi Girma not in the starting lineup, replaced by Becky Sauerbrunn. Girma has grown into a significant and consistent role at center-back for the USWNT. Now, we know why: apparently she picked up an injury and has been held out of the match “as a precaution” according to head coach Vlatko Andonovski, which makes it sound like the injury isn’t serious. Sauerbrunn is a great leader and a more than capable fill-in.

35 mins to kick: Just like they did in training yesterday, the Canadian women enter the field to warm up in upper garments that either do not feature the Canada Soccer logo, or are turned inside out to hide the crest. They continue to make their feelings known on the current equal pay fight.

They are also wearing the same armbands (purple and white) that the U.S. women announced they will wear to recognize gender pay rights as well as trans rights.

42 mins to kick: The USWNT announced they will play this match in a purple armband to represent gender equality, marking the first match they will play under the new and completed equal pay agreement with U.S. Soccer. Obviously, this also brings into the spotlight the equal pay right of Canada, which is mentioned in the statement by the U.S. women’s players on social media.

The U.S. women will also wear white tape to recognize trans rights.

55 mins to kick: Lineups are in. For the United States, the biggest questions were in midfield with Rose Lavelle out, and it’s Andi Sullivan and Ashley Sanchez who slide in alongside Lindsey Horan. Becky Sauerbrunn gets the nod in defense next to Alana Cook, which means Naomi Girma misses out.

For Canada, it’s an incredibly attacking lineup that features all of Sinclair, Huitema, Fleming, Grosso, Beckie, and Leon. That likely means that Janine Beckie will play out wide, with Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso in midfield. It also means regular midfield duo Quinn and Sophie Schmidt are both left on the bench.

68 mins to kick: Speaking of all-time greats, how about Marta! She didn’t add to her 117 international goals, but she fed one to her teammate Debinha for the lead in the 72nd minute against Japan. That game is wrapping up on the Exploria Stadium field just about now.

76 mins to kick: Two of the most decorated players in the history of women’s football will almost certainly be taking the field tonight. U.S. forward Alex Morgan reached 201 caps last time out against New Zealand, becoming the 13th U.S. woman to reach that milestone. Morgan has 120 goals to her name, scoring her most recent in that game against the Ferns.

Yet those numbers pale in comparison to Canada’s legendary forward Christine Sinclair, who at 39 years old continues to produce, now up to 319 appearances and 190 goals, both records at either the men’s or women’s international level. She has claimed the U.S. no longer presents “the same level of fear that they used to have” which will certainly be bulletin board material for Vlatko Andonovski. She’s also leading the equal pay push for her country.

90 mins to kick: Tonight’s venue, Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL, is a familiar one for both the U.S. men and the women. For the latter, it’s not only familiar, it’s a fortress, as they’ve won every match in this stadium by a healthy amount.

110 mins to kick: As the Canadian players keep up their fight for equal pay with Canada Soccer, there’s also been speculation over head coach Bev Priestman’s status in charge of the national team. She shot down those rumors emphatically.

“There’s been regular opportunities put in front of me,” Priestman said, “but I think that the biggest thing is that I’m committed to this group. I’ve shared some incredible moments with them, and I want them to continue.”

120 mins to kick: Canada players took the field for training on Wednesday with a clear message to the Canadian federation by turning their attire inside out to hide the Canada Soccer logo. Christine Sinclair said that the equal pay battle has left the players “at their wits end” and forced her to talk teammates out of retirement.

After yesterday’s training, Janine Beckie hinted that the players have another demonstration to come during the game against the United States today.

USWNT vs Canada lineups, team news

The USWNT will not be at full strength given a handful of key absences. Starting forward Sophia Smith continues to rehab from her foot injury, while star attacker Catarina Macario is due back on the field sometime in March after her ACL injury last year.

At midfield, Sam Mewis is still sidelined after knee surgery, and Julie Ertz is unavailable after giving birth to her son back in August. It was reported that Rose Lavelle would also miss the Canada game due to a knock suffered in training on Tuesday, but she makes the bench. Ashley Sanchez replaces her in the lineup alongside Andi Sullivan, although neither profile quite the same attacking flair as the individual whose shoes they are looking to fill.

USA projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Alyssa Naeher (GK) — Emily Fox, Alana Cook, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn — Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, Ashley Sanchez — Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan, Mallory Swanson.

USA subs (11): Franch (GK), Murphy (GK), Huerta, Girma, Sonnett, Kornieck, K. Mewis, Lavelle, Purce, Rapinoe, Williams, Hatch.

There is just one notable injury for Canada, as central midfielder Desiree Scott remains out after picking up an injury late last NWSL season. That likely means a start for Sophie Schmidt, unless Julia Grosso is tasked with building out of the back alongside Quinn.

Manager Bev Priestman has options up front with a number of solid wide players at her disposal, including the versatile Janine Beckie who mostly operates on the wing. Jordyn Huitema is expected to start at center forward ahead of Clarissa Larisey and Evelyne Viens with Christine Sinclair playmaking from the pocket behind the striker.

Canada projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Kailen Sheridan (GK) — Ashley Lawrence, Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Allysha Chapman — Julia Grosso, Jessie Fleming— Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, Adrianna Leon — Jordyn Huitema.

Canada subs (12): D’Angelo (GK), Proulx (GK), Zadorsky, Carle, Rose, Quinn, Schmidt, Awujo, Larisey, Lacasse, Viens, Hellstrom.

USWNT vs Canada live stream, TV channel

Date Thursday, Feb. 16
Time 7 p.m. ET
Location Exploria Stadium (Orlando, FL)
  USA Canada
TV channel Universo OneSoccer
(Telus Ch. 980)
Streaming fuboTV, HBO Max,
Peacock		 fuboTV

USA: The opening match of the SheBelieves Cup for the USWNT can be found in English exclusively streaming on HBO Max, as part of U.S. Soccer’s new eight-year rights deal with Turner Sports.

In Spanish, the match can be found on television via Universo, with streaming available on fuboTV or NBC’s service Peacock.

Canada: Canadian fans can stream the match on fuboTV via OneSoccer, which is also available on linear TV on Telus (Channel 980).

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