When the USWNT plays Canada on Tuesday, they have the opportunity to capture their seventh SheBelieves Cup championship. Brazil and Japan will have to settle for a Third Place match as the long-standing Concacaf rivals fight it out for the trophy and bragging rights at Lower.com Field in Columbus, OH.
This Tuesday’s game will be the North American clubs’ 66th all-time encounter and their second in as many days—just 35. Rain and a soggy ground greeted the two squads in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinal in San Diego barely a month ago. The weather for this matchup is expected to be much drier in Ohio.
Seeing information
•When: Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
•Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio is the location.
•Television: TBS
•Flow: Maximum
The player to observe
Jaedyn Shaw: The 19-year-old attacker is the 13th player to score in five straight games and has quickly established herself as a mainstay in the USWNT’s attack after tallying five goals in her past five starts, a first in the senior national team’s history. Following the team’s elimination from the World Cup, she has consistently been contacted as the program enters a new chapter and prepares to welcome new manager Emma Hayes in June.
The coaching staff has found it useful to use her offensive line capabilities in a variety of situations. The way Shaw played attacking-mid against Japan recently adds even more depth to the offensive as additional players are included in the team’s Olympic preparations.
What they’ve said
Regarding Shaw’s rise, interim head coach Twila Kilgore said, “I believe Jaedyn has always been an extremely outstanding goal scorer. It takes a lot of skill, in my opinion, to establish your place on this squad and score goals on a regular basis, particularly when you’re becoming incorporated. Although she’s been here, I would really say that she’s doing a terrific job, we’re extremely happy with her, and we’re still in the onboarding process.She is continually refining every aspect of her technique.
I always commend her for both her attacking and defensive efforts, since she is excellent in many of them and challenged in others. But even though everyone is ecstatic and delighted and we can all see who she is, I would advise you to exercise patience as she continues to mature in all of those areas. She wants the challenge to put everything on the table since there is more.”
Narratives
USWNT: After falling behind Japan in the first minute of play, the team responded with strength. They kept up their persistent high press until Sophia Smith earned a penalty midway in the second half, and Shaw made the breakthrough for the equalizer. Lindsey Horan scored from the spot, and even though the coaching staff isn’t afraid to switch up players, she will probably get some time on the field versus Canada.
Even though Kilgore has been open about load management, the coaching staff will likely still want to assess which duos and trios play together and how they handle pressure-filled situations, so don’t be shocked if we see a similar midfield with a few changes to the front and back lines.
Canada: In a continuing conflict with their federation, Canada played in protest the last time they took part in the SheBelieves Cup, donning purple while other teams backed them. A year later, the on-field superstars Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt have retired, and they have achieved some little progress in their quest for equality. Despite all that has changed, they still have a chance to win the cup with head coach Bev Preistman on a new, long-term deal.
Eighteen of the 23 players on Preistman’s SheBelieves squad took part in the Gold Cup. Fans should keep a watch on Jesse Fleming, a midfielder, and Kailen Sheridan, a goalie, as both play in the NWSL. Fleming has been a key player for Canada in offensive sequences since joining Portland Thorns FC lately.
For Canada, Sheridan put on yet another incredible display in goal as they pursue the SheBelieves crown. Against Brazil on Saturday, she made five saves and stopped Marta in the penalty shootout.
Forecast
Will this be the last period in which teams are led to triumph by real strategies? Or is this going to be simply another physical demonstration? I hope this one includes some soccer.
Selection: USA 2, Canada 1.
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