International Recap: Rapinoe and Lavelle Score, Canada Wins
Canada vs New Zealand
Canada defeated New Zealand for a second time this FIFA international match window. OL Reign midfielder Quinn started the match and played a full 90 minutes in Canada’s 1-0 win in the second match of their Celebration Tour to celebrate winning the 2020 Olympic gold medal. OL Reign midfielder Rosie White subbed into the match for New Zealand in the 40th minute.
Canada got on the scoresheet early with a goal from Adriana Leon in the 16th minute of the match. Jessie Fleming dribbled the ball up the field, drawing in a couple of New Zealand defenders before playing a pass to Janine Beckie. Beckie got a shot off, but New Zealand goalkeeper Anna Leat saved it. Leat was unable to hold onto the ball though, so Leon got on the end of the rebound and directed the follow up shot into the net.
New Zealand continued to fight back throughout the match, nearly equalizing in the 26th minute, but Stephanie Labbe’s goalkeeping was solid for Canada. The Canadians went to halftime with the 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Canada continued to hold onto the lead, though things were almost evenly matched, with Canada earning 56% of possession and New Zealand earning 44% of possession. Canada managed three shots on target, while New Zealand took two.
Quinn was very involved in the game, playing long balls that nearly resulted in Canada’s second goal twice in the span of six minutes. In the 75th minute, they sent a ball over the top of the defense and into the path of Jordyn Huitema. Huitema just to chip the keeper from outside the box, but the ball went just wide of the goal.
In the 81st minute, Quinn played another great long ball, this time switching the field to find Jayde Riviere, but her shot went over the top of the goal. At the final whistle, the score remained 1-0 and Canada earned their second win on their Celebration Tour.
United States vs. Korea Republic
The U.S. Women’s National Team put on an incredible performance against Korea Republic in USWNT legend Carli Lloyd’s final international match, beating the visitors 6-0. OL Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle subbed into the match in the 55th minute and scored one goal. OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe subbed into the match in the 55th minute as well and scored one goal and earned one assist.
The U.S. got off to a quick start, scoring the opening goal of the match in the ninth minute. Lindsey Horan took a shot from the top of the box. The shot took a deflection and found the back of the net to get the momentum rolling for the United States.
The United States did not score again until the end of the half. Just before halftime, the U.S. had a corner kick, taken by Catarina Macario, deflected into the back of the net by a Korean player. The own goal sent the U.S. to the locker room up 2-0 at the half.
The next goal came in the 69th minute of the match, thanks to substitute Alex Morgan. Rapinoe played Morgan a beautiful ball and Morgan made easy work of the finish. In the 85th minute, Rapinoe scored a goal of her own. The veteran forward displayed her skill as she sent a powerful half-volley into the back of the net from inside the box.
The fifth goal of the match was scored by another OL Reign player, Rose Lavelle. Morgan played her in on a through ball and found the opportunity to nail a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net.
A five-goal lead was not enough for the USWNT, who added one more goal in stoppage time. Tobin Heath used some fancy footwork to get by the defense before playing Lynn Williams, who scored the sixth and final goal of the match. This this win, the USWNT is unbeaten in 62 matches at home.
The goal for Rose Lavelle was her 16th in 66 caps and fourth of the year, tied for most in a calendar year for her. Forward Megan Rapinoe scored her 10th goal of 2021, setting a new personal record for most goals scored in a single calendar year. She had previously scored nine in 2019. It was her 62nd in 187 caps and puts her just two goals behind Christen Press for ninth all-time in U.S. history.