ANALYSIS – Julia Grosso had a memorable game as she scored twice in the second half. As a result, they open their Concacaf W Championship with a 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Julia Grosso had a memorable game at Estadio BBVA
Can't wait for @JuventusFCWomen to wake up! 👋 pic.twitter.com/JdPMT8MACB
— CANWNT (@CANWNT) July 6, 2022
Three Keys to the Game
First Half Summary:
The #CanWNT’s Christine Sinclair scored her 190th international goal.#ForCanada had many chances to score but they did not convert on many of their scoring chances.#WomenSocaWarriors goalkeeper, Kimika Forbes, made six saves.#CANvTRI | 1-0 | #WeBelong
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 6, 2022
Christine Sinclair stepped up in the first half
27’ Christine Sinclair scores her 190th goal! The #CanWNT, after relentless pressure, was able to score as Ashley Lawrence was credited with the assist. #AttackingThird#CANvTRI | 1-0 | #WeBelongpic.twitter.com/JEIyGFOlBl
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 6, 2022
Canada generated a lot of scoring chances, but Sinclair was making the big plays. First, her 190th goal scored came from a terrific header. Ashley Lawrence was the one who got credited with the assist with the cross. The goal produced by Sinclair, which was a quick scoring chance, meant that the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper had little time to react. Then, Sinclair, after receiving a pass from Janine Beckie, hit the post.
She also drew a penalty for the CanWNT in the 23-minute. Jessie Fleming, who helped Canada win Olympic Gold thanks to her penalty kicks, missed the net completely in this game. Still, even with all the missed chances, the CanWNT still came out of the first half with a 1-0 lead.
Second-half substitutions and Julia Grosso stepping up
The CanWNT started the second half a little sloppy and unable to connect passes. CanWNT head coach, Beverly Priestman, realized that, and she made four substitutions. This included bringing Julia Grosso into the game and Grosso had a memorable game that she will never forget.
79’ What a memorable game for Julia Grosso, who scored her second international goal today for the #CanWNT! #AttackingThird#CANvTRI | 3-0 | #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/TGsNIUM6rE
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 6, 2022
She scored her first two goals in international play. The first goal came from great team play, as Jordyn Huitema flicked the ball to Julia Grosso. The second goal, as seen above, started with a pass that somehow ended at her feet. She beat a Trinidad and Tobago player and put the ball into the back of the net.
Yes, she scored the game-winning penalty to give Canada their first-ever Olympic Gold medal. However, that goal came from a penalty shootout and hence why it does not count as an international goal. Canada would score three more goals to end the game. The Trinidad and Tobago players looked tired, as they were defending throughout the whole game. However, it seemed that the second-half substitutions and Grosso scoring two goals helped reignite Canada’s team spirit.
The CanWNT had several chances to score
Canada had 37 shots, with 13 of them hitting the target. This is while the Women Soca Warriors only had one shot and none on target. That stat alone shows who was the better team.
Deanne Rose almost just had the goal of the tournament so far for Canada. 😱
Kimika Forbes keeping Trinidad & Tobago in it. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/cPzaKC3Mo2
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 6, 2022
If it was not for Kimika Forbes and her resilient defence. Trinidad would have been more than a goal down by the end of the first half. Her saves from Deanne Rose and Janine Beckie’s shots played a big role in that scoreline. Also, the CanWNT did not take advantage of their scoring opportunities.
- Jessie Fleming missed her penalty kick at the spot in the 34-minute.
- Janine Beckie’s header was just a bit too high in the fourth minute.
Canada had a lot more success in the second half, which included Beckie getting one goal and two assists as the CanWNT won 6-0 over Trinidad and Tobago.
Other factors: The success of Janine Beckie
Janine Beckie created FIFTEEN (15) chances against Trinidad & Tobago, including two assists. Red hot.#ConcacafW pic.twitter.com/1286MeTU1k
— Tony ⚡⭐⭐⭐🇦🇷 (@xGisfornerds) July 6, 2022
This has been the case for Beckie, not just in this game, but in the previous three games as well. Fans started to see it in the Nigeria game at BC Place, where Beckie was creating lots of chances for her teammates, including Christine Sinclair.
84’ Janine Beckie delivers a great pass to Jessie Fleming, who this time put the ball into the back of the net! #AttackingThird#CANvTRI | 4-0 | #WeBelongpic.twitter.com/IDtj17c05Y
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 6, 2022
There was probably not a pass better than the one she gave to Jessie Fleming. She found Fleming all alone, who was able to easily put the ball into the back of the net. She also found Jordyn Huitema for Canada’s sixth and final goal of the game.
There is also a willingness to help and work for each other on the team. Yesterday’s star player, Julia Grosso, explained in detail according to Canada Soccer:
Games coming up for both teams
The CanWNT will now face Panama at 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday. Panama is looking to bounce back after losing 3-0 to Costa Rica. This is while Trinidad and Tobago will face a confident Costa Rican squad also on Friday, this time at 7:00 p.m. ET. With a win on Friday, Canada can clinch their spot into the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Both games will be shown live on OneSoccer and Telus. Additionally, the CanWNT game against Panama will also be shown nationally on tape delay on CBC.
Photo Credit: Can Soccer’s WNT on July 6, 2022.
