Canada, U.S. earn World Cup spots in doubleheader in Dallas

Canada 7-Panama 0

United States 6-Jamaica 0

The USA and Canada punched their ticket to the 2019 Women’s World Cup after beating Jamaica and Panama respectively in the semifinals of the Concacaf Championship.

Canada beat a Panamanian team that had a decent first half where the order in defense was a key. However, after Christine Sinclair scored the first one of the match right before the half, changed everything for the Central Americans who reached the semis after shocking Mexico in the final match of the group stage where they beat ‘El Tri’ 2-0.

The second half, Panama lost their concentration and looked very nervous in every sector of the field. Canada on the other hand was determined to extend the lead to secure their spot in the next World Cup. The North American team modified during the half where coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller sent Forward Nichelle Prince to the field. She had a great impact on the match and created many chances for the Canadians to increase the lead.

After Canada doubled the lead two minutes into the second half, the rest was just a show of how dominant the number 5 in the World can be. The final score was 7-0 and moved Canada to the tournament final where they will face the USA.

On the second match of the day, The USA had not mercy against a Jamaica and beat them 6-0. The Caribbean team, that surprised everyone as they eliminated one of the strongest teams in the tournament in Costa Rica, was inoperant and could not hold the pressure and good football the USA had on Sunday night. The Red, White and Blue scored five goal on the first half to secure its qualification to the World Cup, where they will be defending the title they won in 2015.  

The Americans opened the score before the two-minute mark when Tobin Heath scored her first one of the night. Heath, who was the most important player for the USWNT in this match, scored another goal at the 29’. Also, Alex Morgan had a great night scoring a brace, including the 6-0 via a PK which was scored during the second half. The other goals were scored by Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz.

Now the Americans and Canadians will play for the Concacaf title on Wednesday night as Jamaica and Panama will have another chance to qualify for the first time to the World Cup. The Carribeans and the Central Americans will face each other on the third place match where they will determine which the third CONCACAF nation will be representing the confederation next summer in France. Also, the team that ends with the fourth place will move to a play-off match series against Argentina where they will have another chance to qualify to the most important tournament in Women’s soccer