CanWNT
The Canadian national team opened their Olympic tournament with a 2-1 win over New Zealand. Cloé Lacasse scored the equalizer just before half-time, and Evelyne Viens netted the game-winner off an incredible through-ball from Jessie Fleming. Then, in an emotional 2-1 victory over hosts France, Fleming scored Canada’s equalizer before Vanessa Gilles played the hero, scoring the necessary game-winner in the 90th+12 minute.
In their last group stage match against Colombia, Fleming assisted on Gilles’ second goal of the tournament—and her second game-winner, as the goal gave Canada the 1-0 win.
The team’s gold medal defense ended in the quarter-finals. Despite numerous scoring chances and outplaying Germany in the later stages of the game, Canada fell on penalty kicks for the third time this year. Canada now fails to medal for the first time since 2008; however, with the numerous challenges faced, this team absolutely exceeded expectations and can leave Paris with their heads held high.
Canada—League1
In League1 Ontario, NDC Ontario lost 2-1 to Vaughan Azzurri in a Canadian clash. Annabelle Chukwu played 73 minutes for NDC Ontario, and Anna Karpenko was in net for Vaughan. Chukwu was then unavailable for NDC Ontario, including a 4-0 loss to FC London and a 4-0 win over North Mississauga. Similarly, Karpenko was unavailable for Vaughan’s 2-1 over the Blue Devils and their 4-2 loss against the Woodbridge Strikers.
The League1 British Columbia play-offs took place over the last two weeks. Jeneva Hernandez-Gray earned an assist for Vancouver in their 4-2 semi-final win over TSS Rovers. In the final, Hernandez-Gray showed her class and scored the game-(and league-) winning goal for Vancouver in their 2-1 win over Burnaby.
USA
With the Olympics ongoing, the NWSL began its summer tournament, NWSL x Liga MX. Both Sydney Collins and Bianca St-Georges were unavailable through injury for the Courage’s entire run, including a penalty win over Racing Louisville and a 3-0 win over Monterrey.
Megan Reid played the full opening match for Angel City against Bay FC, winning 2-0. Reid also went the distance for Angel City in a penalty kicks win over San Diego.
Christine Sinclair played the first half for Portland in a 3-1 loss against Utah. Sinclair also played the last fifteen minutes in a 1-0 win over league rival Seattle.
Allysha Chapman played one match for the Houston Dash, along with Sophie Schmidt: both featured in the Dash’s opening 2-1 win over Tigres playing 15 and 90 minutes, respectively. Chapman was then suspended due to yellow card accumulation and therefore did not play in Houston’s 2-0 win over Pachucha; Schmidt once again played the full match.
Player of the Week(s): Vanessa Gilles
Goals: 6 (Fleming x 1, Gilles x 2, Hernandez-Gray x 1, Lacasse x 1, Viens x 1)
Assists: 3 (Fleming x 2, Hernandez-Gray x 1)
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