US vs. Trinidad & Tobago

Lee Monistere, 8, watches the United States team warm up before a CONCACAF Olympic women’s soccer qualifying championship semifinal against Trinidad and Tobago, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Houston.

While nothing tangible is on the line in the match, as both sides have already qualified for the Olympics, there is never “nothing on the line” when Canada and the U.S. meet.

“We actually talked about it in our very first camp in 2016 that no team has done that”, Ellis said.

Led by Christine Sinclair’s two goals, John Herdman’s side defeated Costa Rica 2-1 in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament in Houston on Friday night. While there are players on the current national team that won the World Cup last summer, there are new additions and veterans and rookies alike are hungry for Olympic gold, according to Fox Sports.

The gap between the USA and Canada and the rest of the teams in the North, Central American and Caribbean region, known as CONCACAF, remains huge.

American goalkeeper Hope Solo said on Friday night after they beat Trinidad and Tobago to get to the Olympics that games against Canada are always “bloodbaths”.

With a spot in Rio booked, which will be the sixth straight trip to the Olympics for the USWNT, the US will next battle Canada on Sunday in the qualifying championship.

While Canada was heavily favoured against the 34th-ranked Costa Ricans, the team was happy to put the qualification match behind them.

After a 5-0 loss to the United States in its opener, Costa Rica bounced back strongly with victories over Puerto Rico (9-0) and Mexico (2-1) to finish second in Group A. “We had lots of crosses into the box and I was lucky to get a couple in”. “But I think this team believes they can, which can be a strength and a weakness”. But I think for us it’s more so focusing on what we can do.

“We set out at the end of the World Cup that today is not going to be good enough win next summer. we better continue to evolve as the game is”. Stefan Aigner went close later on only to be blocked by Hamburg keeper Rene Adler at his near post.

Canadian coach John Herdman says his 11th-ranked squad is up for the challenge.

One beneficiary of Ellis’ strategy has been 17-year-old Mallory Pugh.

“To me it’s a World Cup final”, she said at a press conference at BBVA Compass Stadium Thursday. Several players, including Abby Wambach, have retired.

Despite notable injuries to Christie Rampone and Megan Rapinoe, along with the absence of Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux because of pregnancy, the USWNT have continued to prove they are the best team in the world. “You’ve got Deanne (Rose) at 16 and scoring goals in the biggest game of her career”.

Christine Sinclair isn’t quite sure how she scored the second of two goals that helped send Canada back to the Olympics.

Trinidad, which fell to the United States back in 2014, concluded the group stage on Tuesday with a 5-1 victory over Guyana. The U.S. had two backups at the World Cup and in the qualifying tournament.

Afterward, Trinidad and Tobago coach Richard Hood praised his team for the effort, but admitted they were simply outmatched by the World Cup champions.

“We have to go out and play with all heart”, said Cordner, who has three goals.