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.
Mallory Swanson scores in her fourth-straight match ♨️
Watch the SheBelieves Cup on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/KCtCktpGaC— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2023
4 - Malllory Swanson is the fourth-youngest @USWNT player with multiple streaks of four games with a goal and the youngest since Abby Wambach in 2004. Automatic. pic.twitter.com/HbJrhiOiaI
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) February 17, 2023
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.
Anotha' one for Mallory Swanson
Watch the SheBelieves Cup on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/GYs1PX8E3a— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2023
Chances for Canada were far and few between. Alyssa Naeher denied the best opportunity in first half stoppage time with a full-stretch save.
Alyssa Naeher denies Janine Beckie
Watch the SheBelieves Cup on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/T4e6Sm4ib8— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2023
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.
USWNT join Canada in solidarity as both teams wear purple tape in the name of gender equality.
They are also wearing white tape with the words “Defend Trans Joy” as they face off in Orlando for the SheBelieves Cup. pic.twitter.com/kyUflZcbR6— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2023
#EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/LTISpS452X
— ٰ (@Mapi4que3) February 17, 2023
— CanadianSoccerPlayers (@PlayersCanadian) February 16, 2023
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.
