The U.S. and Canadian National Teams will battle Wednesday night at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, in the final of the CONCACAF Women’s Championships.
Utah Royals FC is well-represented on both sides, with forward Christen Press and defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Kelley O’Hara for the U.S. squaring off with midfielder Diana Matheson suiting up for Canada. Throughout the tournament, the URFC women have played a key role in their national teams’ success. Both teams already qualify for the 2019 World Cup in France. However, the team that comes out on top will place the better seed in the World Cup.
The U.S. punished teams in group play and the semifinal. Combined, the U.S. racked up 23 goals and defended four cleans sheets. Team USA won the last CONCACAF Championships in 2014 to qualify and then win gold in the 2015 World Cup.
The Canadian team monopolized previous competitors as well. In the tournament, Canada has tallied 23 goals and allowed just one goal. The Canadian team won the 2010 CONCACAF Championships and have appeared in the World Cup six times.
Since 1986, this will be the 60th matchup between the neighboring countries. USA and Canada faced each other twice last year; one game ended in a 1-1 draw, and the U.S. defeated Canada 3-1 in the other.
Both teams have breezed through the CONCACAF tournament undefeated, but one will fall after tonight’s showdown.
