News

Published July 2, 2025

U.S. women cruise to comfortable 3-0 win over Canada in women's soccer friendly

By Canadian Press Staff
Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming (17) and United States defender Naomi Girma (4) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly
Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming (17) and United States defender Naomi Girma (4) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nick Wass

Sam Coffey and Claire Hutton scored first-half goals as the top-ranked United States cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Canada in a women's soccer friendly Wednesday.

Yazmeen Ryan added an insurance goal in the 89th minute, beating Kailen Sheridan from the edge of the penalty box with Canadian defenders backing away.

It was a fifth straight shutout for the Americans, who had previously blanked Jamaica, China and Ireland (twice). The U.S. has outscored the opposition 25-5 in 10 outings this year.

Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with what Barrie's talking about. Get the latest local news delivered right to your inbox every day. Never miss out on what's going on ...
Subscription Form
Consent Info

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

The victory margin could have been bigger Wednesday. The Americans moved the ball around with ease while eighth-ranked Canada struggled to get its game going on a warm night at Audi Field.

The Canadians, often a step slow, gave the ball away in the first half and were caught short too many times on defence as the U.S. attacked.

The Americans went ahead in the 17th minute off a free kick by Rose Lavelle that Canada failed to clear. The ball fell to Coffey, whose low shot found the corner with Sheridan rooted to the spot, for her fourth international goal in her 38th appearance.

Hutton made it 2-0 in the 36th minute off a Lavelle corner, rising unchallenged to head the ball home past a diving Sheridan. It was a first senior goal for the 19-year-old Kansas City Current midfielder in her sixth appearance.

🎧  Listen to the daily headlines that matter most
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts to get notified of new episodes every day.

Without a major tournament in sight this year, both coaches have been evaluating their roster depth. Canada coach Casey Stoney has used 35 players this year.

Stoney made seven changes to the starting 11 that beat No. 43 Costa Rica on Friday in Toronto, with only Sheridan, fullback Ashley Lawrence and midfielders Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso retaining their place.

Lawrence has just switched clubs, leaving England's Chelsea for Lyon in France.

The Canadian starting 11 went into the game with a combined 813 caps, compared to 427 for the U.S. Eight of the Canadian starters had 50-plus caps, compared to just three for the U.S.

The American women were coming off back-to-back 4-0 wins over No. 25 Ireland.

U.S. coach Emma Hayes made 10 changes to the team that beat Ireland Sunday, essentially reverting to the same starting lineup as in the first Ireland match last Thursday. Forward Lynn Biyendolo was the only holdover.

Sunday's win over Ireland was the American women's 600th, coming in the 40th year of the women's program. Fifty-three of those wins had come against Canada.

Advertisement

Canada went into Wednesday's contest with a 4-53-9 all-time record against the U.S. in a rivalry that dates back to 1986 when the Canadian women's program was established. The Canadians have not won on American soil since Nov. 11, 2000.

In their most recent meeting, last April at the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio, the two teams played to a 2-2 draw before the U.S. won a penalty shootout 5-4. The Americans also won by penalty shootout in the game before that, the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal in March 2024.

Canada's last win over the U.S. was a 1-0 decision in the Tokyo Olympic semifinal in August 2021. That was the Americans' first loss to their northern neighbours since March 2001, in the group stage of the Algarve Cup.

It was 29 C, feeling like 32 C at kickoff for the clash of the last two Olympic champions.

The U.S. came out with purpose and Biyendolo, put behind the Canadian defence in the sixth minute, failed to find the target with an attempted chip. Two minutes later, Canada's defence was cut open again with Sheridan stopping Biyendolo's header.

After going down 1-0, Canada threatened for the first time in the 20th minute only to see U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, in just her second senior appearance, deny Jordyn Huitema from in-close.

Sheridan stopped Alyssa Thompson in the 23rd minute after another Canadian defensive breakdown.

Advertisement

The U.S. had 63 per cent possession in the first half and outshot Canada 8-5 (6-2 in shots on target). 

Early in the second half, the Americans queued up to take a shot on the Canadian goal, winning ball after ball. 

Stoney sent on Nichelle Prince and Shelina Zadorsky in the 62nd minute. Simi Awujo, Holly Ward, Marie Levasseur and Annabelle Chukwu followed off the Canadian bench.

Biyendolo hit the crossbar in the 80th minute as the Canadian defence was found wanting again.

Appointed in January, Stoney saw her record with Canada fall to 6-2-1. The lone previous loss was a 1-0 setback April 8 at the hands of No. 32 Argentina in Langford, B.C. — "a game we should never lose," said Stoney.

Hayes is 21-2-2 as U.S. coach since her debut in June 2024, with 2-1 losses earlier this year to No. 4 Brazil and No. 7 Japan. 

Canada was missing the injured Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins, Cloé Lacasse, Jayde Riviere, Olivia Smith and Lysianne Proulx.

What do you think of this article?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Have a breaking story?

Share it with us!
Share Your Story

What Barrie's talking about!

From breaking news to the best slice of pizza in town! Get everything Barrie’s talking about delivered right to your inbox every day. Don’t worry, we won’t spam you. We promise :)
Subscription Form
Consent Info

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Related Stories

Advertisement
Advertisement