US Women's National Team Opens SheBelieves Cup With 2-0 Win

On Thursday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Southern California, the United States Women's National Team opened up the SheBelieves Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Canada.

The USWNT has won five of seven SheBelieves Cups, and Vlatko Andonovski has selected a roster with World Cup preparation in mind. Led by Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, this squad boasts an array of star players.

Goals by Mallory Swanson

On Thursday night, the USWNT kicked off their SheBelieves Cup campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory against Canada. Despite being clouded by a labor dispute between players and their federation, the USWNT showed their support for their Canadian colleagues by showing up to cheer them on in the match.

Swanson scored twice in the opening half to give her team a commanding 2-0 lead. Her first goal came from an impressive strike in the seventh minute and, later that same game, she capitalized on Canada's right defensive wing's weak back pass by leaping onto it and placing it into the net. With that goal secured, Swanson had secured all three points for Team USA!

She has five international goals this season and 30 overall, putting her on track to become the USA's all-time leading scorer.

Her second goal came off a Canadian mistake in the midfield. She intercepted a slow back pass from Vanessa Gilles, who had been pressured by Morgan.

A straightforward but devastating goal gave the USWNT an early lead against a formidable Canadian side. It served as an ideal demonstration of their high press strategy that they've been honing during their SheBelieves Cup run.

Swanson not only scored goals, but she also displayed outstanding midfield skills. She proved a formidable obstacle for Canada's defense, forcing them to commit many defenders into the attacking third. Swanson combined well with Sanchez and Lindsey Horan in attack.

Before kickoff, the USWNT players joined arms in the center circle as a show of unity with their Canadian counterparts. They also donned wristbands reading "Defend Trans Joy" and purple armbands to demonstrate their support for Canada's players.

Goals by Janine Beckie

On Thursday night, the USWNT defeated Canada 2-0 in the SheBelieves Cup opener. It was an inspiring game that showcased both sides' unity in their fight for equality - US players wearing purple tape during their national anthems and Canadians crossing their arms in a center circle to show support for their teammates.

This game served as a showcase for SheBelieves, an initiative spearheaded by U.S. Soccer to inspire and empower women and girls. Launched prior to the 2015 Women's World Cup, SheBelieves has blossomed into an inspiring message of empowerment. The SheBelieves Cup is part of this campaign and marks the first time all four teams in this year's competition will play on home soil.

Beckie has long been a cornerstone of the team and her ability to score goals has made her invaluable on the field. Not only does she take quality shots and find herself in an advantageous position for tap-ins, but recently she's also managed to add assists as the Canadians have struggled for consistent offensive production. She continues to be one of their key players.

As she continues to blossom as a player, there can be no doubt that she'll remain essential to Canada's success in the years ahead. As this team strives to make an impression at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and return as champions in 2024, look for her to be an inspiring presence both on and off the field.

Beckie is determined to live out her career in a way that honors her faith. Additionally, she wants to use her athletic gifts for good in the world by loving others well off the field and inspiring them to reach their highest potentials.

Goals by Adriana Leon

Thursday night, the USWNT claimed their SheBelieves Cup opener with a commanding 2-0 victory over Canada. It marked an impressive start to the competition and proof that they are ready for World Cup action.

Before kickoff, players from both teams gathered on the center circle in a show of unity for gender equality and transgender rights. Players wearing wrist bands in support of equality while Canadians donned purple wristbands to protest cuts to training resources by their federation.

Mallory Swanson scored two goals for USA, capitalizing on Vanessa Gilles' mistake in the 34th minute and then coming off of pressure from Adriana Leon in the 38th. She has become an essential goal scoring threat for the USWNT and carried that form into this match.

Mallory Swanson gave the USWNT the lead in the 7th minute with a goal from inside the box. She has scored five goals in three matches for the USWNT, and hopes to keep up her good form.

Goals by Jessie Fleming

On the eve of Thursday's SheBelieves Cup opener, USWNT players showed their support for Canada's women's national team during a pre-match demonstration. Players crossed their arms in the center circle as an expression of unity with Canada's athletes.

Despite their rivalry, both teams displayed an admirable respect for one another during the game. The Canadians donned purple shirts during their national anthems as a show of protest while U.S. players donned wrist tape bearing a "defend trans joy" message in support of trans rights.

Though not perfect, the U.S. team emerged victorious on goal differential and is now top of the SheBelieves Cup standings. This victory gives them confidence as they aim to defend their title at the 2023 Women's World Cup, hosted in Australia and New Zealand for two weeks.

The SheBelieves Cup is one of several initiatives designed to promote gender equality and empower women and girls through sports. Since its inception in 2016, the USA has won every edition of this annual tournament.

This week the SheBelieves Cup will be held in Texas at Toyota Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's FC Dallas. The USA has an unbeaten streak in Texas - winning all 29 matches it has played there.

The United States and Canada have had a fierce rivalry since 1986, culminating in three SheBelieves Cup matches between them. To this day, the Americans hold an unbeatenable 53-4-7 series record against Canada and have won each of their last five encounters against their northern neighbor.

Goals by Sophie Schmidt

On Thursday afternoon, the USWNT claimed victory in their SheBelieves Cup opener by defeating Canada 2-0 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. With this result, they now sit atop the standings on goal differential ahead of Brazil who beat Japan 1-0 earlier in the day.

The victory also served to demonstrate Canadian players' support in the face of an impending fight over pay equity and spending cuts from the Canadian Soccer Federation. Prior to kickoff, members of the USWNT donned purple armbands and wristbands bearing the message "Defend Trans Joy" in solidarity with their rivals.

Mallory Swanson opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from above the box, assisted by Trinity Rodman. She froze Allysha Chapman before crossing low into the middle. Mallory then drew a save from Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan but rebounded off it for her third goal of the season.

Her second goal of the night came shortly after, as Vanessa Gilles sent a back-pass to Sheridan that was mishit. Despite Her best efforts to stop it, Swanson was able to step up and score from six yards out.

It was an impressive performance by the USWNT, who look to have gained momentum ahead of their next match against Nadeshiko in Nashville on Sunday. With this victory, they could become either men's or women's first team ever to win three consecutive World Cups.

Canada faced an uphill battle on Thursday as they embarked on their SheBelieves Cup journey under duress in America after severe budget cuts and a disagreement with the federation. Bev Priestman struggled to motivate her team ahead of the match, leaving them physically and psychologically worn-out.