Morgan, Americans upend Canadians late

U.S. forward Abby Wambach (14) celebrates the American’s 4-3 semifinal victory Monday next to dejected Canadian Desiree Scott. Alex Morgan scored the winning goal in the final minute of extra time.
U.S. forward Abby Wambach (14) celebrates the American’s 4-3 semifinal victory Monday next to dejected Canadian Desiree Scott. Alex Morgan scored the winning goal in the final minute of extra time.

— The U.S. women’s soccer team is back in the Olympic gold medal match after a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Canada with a goal in the final minute of extra time.

Now the Americans will be out to avenge one of the most gut-wrenching losses when they play Japan on Thursday for the gold medal.

Alex Morgan gave the United States its first lead of the night in the third minute of injury time Monday, completing the victory over Canada in the Olympic semifinals at Old Trafford.

Morgan’s 6-yard header, on a long cross from Heather O’Reilly, looped high into the net over goalkeeper Erin McLeod for the winning goal. Megan Rapinoe scored in the 54th and 70th minutes, and Abby Wambach in the 80th for the U.S.

The Americans overcame three one-goal deficits, all due to a hat trick from Canada’s Christine Sinclair, who scored in the 22nd, 67th and 73rd minutes. In many ways the victory was reminiscent of the landmark comeback victory against Brazil in last year’s World Cup.

“Even when they scored their third goal, there was something in me that knew that we had more, that we could give more,” Wambach said. “I don’t know what that means, quite honestly. I don’t know if it’s just confidence until the end, but this team has a belief in itself, even when the going gets rough.”

Next comes the game the U.S. players have been eyeing for more than a year, a rematch with Japan on Thursday at Wembley Stadium with gold on the line. The top-ranked Americans lost to Japan on penalty kicks in the World Cup final last summer, a stunning blow that became a source of motivation as the players prepared for this year’s Olympics.

“This is redemption for us,” midfielder Carli Lloyd said. “We know how hard it was for us after that game. It hurt us for a really long time.”

The U.S. team has played in the title match in every Summer Games since women’s soccer was introduced in Atlanta in 1996, winning the gold in 1996, 2004 and 2008 and the silver in 2000.

The Americans advanced by continuing their dominance of the neighbor to the north, extending its unbeaten streak against Canada to 27 games (23-0-4). The Americans lead the all-time series 44-3-5, the last loss coming at the Algarve Cup in 2001.

But it wasn’t easy. Sinclair was an imposing force, scoring her 141st, 142nd and 143rd goals in international play. She’s now even with Wambach for No. 2 on the all-time list, both chasing American Mia Hamm’s world record of 158.

Sports, Pages 17 on 08/07/2012

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