US women’s soccer team defeated by Canada
Canada defeated the U.S. women’s soccer team in a semifinal match on Monday, 1-0, ending the United States’ chances of securing a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Canada’s Jessie Fleming scored the team’s single goal on a penalty kick in the 74th minute, securing the country’s first victory over the U.S. since 2001.
Canada will face the winner of the semifinal game between Sweden and Australia on Friday, with the winner taking home a gold medal at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
The U.S., while no longer in the running for a gold medal in Tokyo, can still take home bronze. It has won four gold medals in women’s soccer at past Olympics.
The U.S. faced an obstacle against Canada on Monday when its starting goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, fell awkwardly in the 20th minute and needed medical attention, according to The Associated Press. After being attended to by trainers, she tried to get back into the game but had trouble continuing. Adrianna Franch, the backup U.S. goalie, took over in the 30th minute.
Earlier in Tokyo, the U.S. women’s team lost to Sweden, 3-0, ending its 44-game unbeaten streak.
The U.S. women’s national team has been vocal in Washington in recent months, with the group raising awareness of the gender pay gap and demanding equal wages.
Soccer star and outspoken team member Megan Rapinoe, along with other players on the team, visited the White House in March to mark Equal Pay Day.
Rapinoe sparred with former President Trump in the past, at one point famously refusing to visit his White House after the team won the 2019 World Cup.
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