Canada Meets Switzerland Today in Knockout Round of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
June 21, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (June 21, 2015) - Christine Sinclair and company carry the hopes of nation as hosts Canada meet Switzerland today at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Round of 16 at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Four years on from finishing last at the 2011 World Cup in Germany, Canada has already made history on their home soil by winning their group for the first time.
The Canadians emerged as the top team in Group A following a strong defensive display that saw them allow just one goal in 270 minutes of soccer as Houston Dash goalkeeper Erin McLeod posted two shutouts and her club teammates Allysha Chapman and Lauren Sesselmann were part of a backline that did well to keep opponent chances at a minimum.
Canada won just one of their group matches - an intense 1-0 victory over China PR that came courtesy of Sinclair's penalty in second-half stoppage time after Chicago Red Stars forward Adriana Leon won the spot kick for her country.
But while winning just once, the Canadians were not beaten in the group stage as they ground out draws in their finals two matches of the first round against New Zealand and the Netherlands.
Chicago Red Stars forward Melissa Tancredi and Portland Thorns FC midfielder Kaylyn Kyle have each made appearances in all three matches so far at the tournament, while Sky Blue FC forward Jonelle Filigno has started twice.
Switzerland finished third in Group C despite losing two of the three games in the opening round of the tournament.
Indeed, the Swiss' qualification for the Round of 16 was based solely on their heavy victory against World Cup debutants Ecuador as the 10-1 trashing they delivered to the South Americans provided them with the goal difference needed to be one of the four third-place teams to earn a place in the knockout stages.
Sunday's encounter will be the first between the countries at the World Cup. Canada has never lost to Switzerland in four senior matches, posting a 3-0-1 record against the Europeans while outscoring them 7-3.
Chapman will need to be careful for Canada as yellow card against Switzerland would rule her out of the quarterfinals.
The country that emerges from this Round of 16 battle Sunday will face the winner of the Norway-England match on Monday. The quarterfinal will be held Saturday, June 27 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 21, 2015
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- Updated: Reign FC Defeats Boston 3-2 on the Road, Extends Unbeaten Run to Five Matches - Seattle Reign FC
- Severe Weather Ends Spirit's Clash against the Red Stars Before the Final Whistle - Washington Spirit
- Canada Meets Switzerland Today in Knockout Round of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - NWSL
- Brazil Face Australia Today at 1 p.m. ET in Knockout Stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - NWSL
- Red Stars' Clash with Washington Falls Victim to Weather - Chicago Stars FC
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