The morning after Canada's soccer nightmare

It looked a little harsh, Wall Street Journal sportswriter Joe Melvin said in his live blog of the Canada-U.S. soccer match penalty call.

Very rarely called, said Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl.

Harsh, very harsh on Canada, wrote the BBC's Paul  Fletcher.

The decision was shocking, declared The New York Times.

And from actor and prolific Olympic tweeter Samuel L. Jackson: "Lemme say though, those Canuck Ladies brought da noise! They came to WIN! Ehhh?!!"

The sports world consensus after the heart-stopping, heartbreaking Canadian 4-3 loss to the U.S. Monday night was that it was one of the great games of soccer laced with one of the more head-shaking referee foul calls against Canada's Erin McLeod for a six-second violation.

"Even the U.S. players said they were surprised by the call," the NY Times reported. "Goalkeeper Hope Solo said she couldn’t recall an instance when a call was made without a warning. Coach Pia Sundhage said flatly, “I haven’t seen that before.”

What wasn't in dispute was the game played by Canada's Christine Sinclair.

"Spare a thought for Canadian skipper Christine Sinclair," said Britain's Daily Telegraph. "She struck a hat-trick worthy of a commemorative plaque on the walls of Old Trafford."

From Sports Illustrated's Wahl:

"The U.S. isn’t used to giving up three goals, and the Americans had gone 26 games and 11 years since their last defeat to Canada. Sinclair put the Canadians ahead three separate times."

"This semi-final showdown is a clash of two of women’s soccer’s greatest ever forwards," said the Wall Street Journal's Joe Melvin.

And from that other women's soccer forward, the U.S.'s Abby Wambach: "Christine Sinclair couldn’t have had a better game. Credit to Canada. They're a great team."

 

 

 

Comments

[Al Zwikker]

Melissa Tancredi said it best. Hope the ref sleeps well in her American jersey

[sandy]

Too bad a terrific game was spoiled by an official, whose own ego was more important than fairness.

Shame on her.

[John Britto]

This is the first time I watched a women's soccer match - thoroughly enjoyed the entire game. All statistics aside, the Canadian team was the better on the day - period. Even though she was marked by three Americans the whole time, Christine Sinclair showed the world that she can 'fly like an eagle'. Her hat-trick speaks for itself. Way to go Christine - you deserve to be on that olympic podium. I hope to see you there, even if it means for the bronze, you and your team deserve it.

CANADA SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR GOLD, but were robbed of the opportunity by an incompetent referee and her two assistants!!! - what a disgrace.......how much were they paid to ensure an American victory? The Canadian Olympic Committee needs to lodge a formal complaint and the IOC needs to investigate and come clean on the issue. Too many glaring errors to list on this post. If line calls can be challenged in tennis, leg-before-wicket (lbw) in cricket, etc. using replays, why can't the same be applied for soccer? The free-kick inside the Canadian penalty area, awarded to the Americans, made no sense at all. What was the referee thinking at the time? I wonder if the organizers conduct debriefs with match officials after the game?

It's a shame much money is exchanging hands even in the sporting arena. Gone are the days of "fair play" on the sports field.

[matt]

these olympic games have been painful to watch to say the least

[Gus Choek]

It's hard to take when the players can't decide the outcome of such an epic match. What a shame

[Colin]

Wambach supposedly said she lobbied for the call by counting loudly. In my book, that smacks of desperation and poor sportsmanship. Great game by Canada and one they would have won if not for the bone-head call.

[michael R.]

After watching travesty after travesty in officiating during the Olympics, I am completely turned off. Today was another non-call when a Korean player was tripped up in the Brasilian 18 yard box. The Brasilian did not play the ball and instead wiped out the Korean player. It would've possibly been tied at 1-1, considering how good the Koreans are at penalty kicks. Overall, all these incidents bring to mind that there may be corruption in the Olympics. How terrible for the reputation and fair play to be diminished so severly.

[Teena]

It seems result of this match was pre-determined. Referee was so unfair, biased against Canada.