The United States women’s national soccer team defeated Canada’s team to win the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Sunday, February 9th, 2020 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The Americans were already qualified to the 2020 Japan Summer Olympics after defeating Mexico’s national team on Friday, February 7th, 2020. The Americans dominated both games in Carson as most writers expected they would.

The Sunday championship game was uneventful for the first twenty minutes, but the Americans controlled possession and kept the ball on the Canadian’s half of the field. The Americans appeared to lack creativity with their early attacks but maintained control of the game. Near the 32nd minute of play, Christen Press kicked a hard shot from a few meters outside the box. She missed as the ball bounced off the crossbar and missed a second opportunity moments after because of a mistake by Canada’s goalkeeper, Stephanie Labbe. The first half ended with the scored tied at 0.

In the second half, the American women generated the excitement that the first half was missing. Lynn Williams broke the tie by dribbling up the sideline, losing the ball, regaining it after an errant pass by Canada’s Jayde Riviere, and shooting it into the net. The first goal led to more risks by both teams. Lynn Williams continued to play well and was partly responsible for the American’s second goal. She received a cross pass from Samantha Mewis and then headed the ball to her teammate Lindsay Horan. Lindsay Horan received that pass well meters in front of the net and adjusted her body to shoot across it with her left foot and put the ball into the net.

Later, Janine Beckie of Canada missed a great opportunity by shooting wide of the net after a lead pass from her teammate in the 76th minute of play. With the Americans in control and the game ending, the iconic Megan Rapinoe received a lead pass from Lynn Williams. Rapinoe moved left after getting to the ball and shot with her left foot to put it to the right of the keeper for the American’s third and final goal. Rapinoe held a heroic pose in celebration after her goal.

It was enjoyable to watch young girls and women cheer for their teams, both American and Canadian. Though the game lacked consistent excitement, the fans seemed to enjoy the bursts of action on the field and the celebration, fireworks, and chants after the game.