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Sensational Mal Swanson strike in SheBelieves Cup helps earn USWNT 2-0 win vs. Canada

Two goals from Mallory Swanson saw the United States women’s national team defeat Canada 2-0 in the SheBelieves Cup Thursday night in Orlando, Florida.

The USWNT came out swinging with Swanson getting a look at goal less than 30 seconds into the game. It was practically a shooting gallery on Canada’s goal in the opening minutes with Kailen Sheridan making a fantastic save to deny Ashley Sanchez in the third minute.

In the seventh minute Swanson would open the scoring and have the game’s big highlight with a thunderous first-time strike. You don’t hit them much sweeter than this.

Swanson doubled the lead for the USWNT in the 34th minute when she capitalized on a poor back pass from Canada and Lyon center back Vanessa Gilles.

Chances for Canada were far and few between. Alyssa Naeher denied the best opportunity in first half stoppage time with a full-stretch save.

There were several chances the U.S. failed to capitalize on in the second half as the team looked for a third goal.

The victory for the USWNT was rather routine with Canada understandably not at their best. Canada Soccer and the women’s team are in a battle over budget cuts, players not being paid on time, the team being under resourced and pay inequities.

When the women’s team tried to go on strike over the issues and not play in the SheBelieves Cup, Canada Soccer threatened to sue the players for millions of dollars.

Canada’s players wore purple shirts before the game with “Enough is enough” written on the front. The USWNT and Canada both wore purple armbands and joined each other at midfield before kickoff in a moment of solidarity.

The USWNT sits first in the SheBelieves Cup standings with Brazil defeating Japan 1-0 earlier on Thursday. Nashville, Tennessee, is the next destination for the tournament as the U.S. will play Japan at GEODIS Park on Sunday. Canada will play Brazil after the USA-Japan game.

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