The U.S. Women’s National Team suffered its second loss in its last five games, this time falling to Sweden, 2-1, to open the Four Nations Tournament in Chongqing, China. In the second game of the tournament, Canada fell behind 2-0 in the 36th minute, but came back to beat China, 3-2, on a stoppage-time goal by Christine Sinclair.
The U.S. scored first on a goal that came off a corner kick in the 11th minute. Lauren Cheney flicked the ball to Carli Lloyd, who headed it in to put the U.S. ahead, 1-0. But Sweden equalized in the 16th minute off a corner kick when Stina Segerström hit a shot into the low corner to tie the game (the assist came from Sky Blue FC’s Therese Sjögran). Then, in the 60th minute from inside the area, Kosovare Asllani scored the game-winner for Sweden, who outshot the U.S., 12-7. Lina Nilsson assisted on Asllani’s goal. UCLA forward Sydney Leroux earned her first cap for the U.S. when she came into the game in the 86th minute.
You Jia scored in the 16th and 36th minutes to put China ahead, 2-0, but three second-half goals by Canada sealed the comeback win for the Canadians. In the 56th minute, Melissa Tancredi pulled Canada to within one. Then, in the 80th minute, Christine Sinclair banked a shot off the post and into the goal to tie the game at 2-2. In the 94th minute, Sinclair scored the game-winner.
Canada’s starting 11: Erin McLeod, Marie-Eve Nault, Emily Zurrer, Candace Chapman, Rhian Wilkinson, Kaylyn Kyle, Carmelina Moscato, Diana Matheson, Melissa Tancredi, Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair. Subs for Canada: Karina LeBlanc for McLeod (45), Sophie Schmidt for Moscato (45).