What You Missed: SheBelieves Cup Day 1 In Review
Feb 18, 2021 the showdown began! Did you like the games featured Thursday? What did you think about that handball against Canada? Wasn’t that collective play that ended up a goal for the Argentine team just amazing? Not bad for a team that only practiced twice and haven’t been playing for 1 year and 3 months, no?
All jokes aside I love football and I was determined to watch these games and this tournament and… I found it nearly impossible! Lucky for me I follow this amazing Argentine female football journalist on twitter (Agustina Vidal) who posted a few online links for her followers. I managed to find a free stream of the game between Argentina and Brazil — thanks to the Brazilians who obviously value their Women’s Team enough to air the game! Go Brazil!
It’s still astonishing to me that a country like Argentina who has given the world players like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, won’t air their female national football team on any channel!!! If you’re not sure what I’m referring to, take a few minutes of your time and read SheBelieves Cup and Why You Need to Cheer for the Underdog.
After the opening match between Argentina and Brazil, the online free streaming I was tapped into dropped. I guess the Brazilians didn’t find value in showing the following game between the US and Canada. Once again I went on a hunt to see where I could stream the game — paid or unpaid. Even with a paid VPN it was a near impossible task. I felt frustrated and angry. I was determined to watch this tournament not only because I’m a fan but also on principle! These women deserve our support. Thankfully, I found a paid Canadian website that is featuring the entire SheBelieves Cup. I subscribed for a month membership for $9,99 CAD. It’s been the best nine bucks I’ve spent in a long time! Thank you www.onesoccer.ca
If you didn’t get the chance to watch these games last night here are some of the high and low lights.
LOWLIGHTS
Argentina vs. Brazil
The Argentine national team keeps adding upsets. Their runner up goalie Yanina Sosa (as mentioned in yesterday’s article) tested positive for COVID upon arrival to Orlando, therefore she was out of the game. Four other players that had direct contact with her were also not allowed to play and were isolated. To add salt to the wound, they will need to be tested every day until Sunday February 21st to make sure that they are not positive. If they test positive they will be excluded from the cup since the last game will be held on the 24th and they have no time to recover. In addition to missing key players, Argentina could only hold out for the first half due to being an inferior team and the fact that they only got 2 practices in before the tournament.
HIGHLIGHTS
Argentina vs. Brazil
“Marta” scored her 108th international goal for Brazil in the 30th minute. Remarkably Solana Pereyra — Argentinas third runner up goalie — almost saved the kick but missed it by a hair.
After the goal Brazil broke through and showed their superiority and demonstrated why they are 8th in the FIFA World Rankings.
Brazil doubled its lead just two minutes into the second half and then scored their third goal in the 54th minute from Adriana.
Argentina miraculously scored a goal back in the 60th minute. Mariana Larroquette, who plays in the NWSL with Kansas City, scored a fantastic header.
Brazil restored its three-goal lead in the 82nd minute when a pair of second half subs combined for a goal ending the game at a 4–1 lead.
LOWLIGHTS
Canada vs. USA
Canada’s starting goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan had to be substituted out of the match in the 11th minute after being injured.
At minute 72:03 of the match, with the game still 0–0, Margaret Purce of the US team had a handball in the box! Everyone saw this play including the Referee Francia Gonzalez (From MEX) who decided for some reason decided not to call it a penalty.
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada vs. USA
The first highlight of the game happened during the National Anthem when the Canadian team “showcased unity despite the differences’’. The entire team took a knee in unity wearing BLM t-shirts showing that they will continue to fight for equality. So proud of this team.
Stephanie Labbé — substitute goalie for Canada — played a tremendous match. She made several spectacular saves along with several quality punches, supported by an incredible line of defense. Vanessa Gilles should have received the MVP of the match in my opinion, she might have not scored the winning goal but she made 20 clearances in the match.
Canada was debuting their new Coach Bev Priestman. A young, female breath of fresh air in a field that is heavily male dominated.
It took the U.S. team 79 minutes to score their first and only goal of the match. In a tightly-contested game against the most frequent foe in USWNT herstory, Canada gave the U.S. a run for their money. Of course we cannot forget that they remain the best in the world and played an incredible game.
With this victory the USA ties with Brazil for first place with the difference that Brazil is positioned first since they have a 3 goal advantage over the US.
All in all a great underdog part 2 review. Don’t forget to tune in Sunday Feb 21st for Brazil vs Us and Canada vs Argentina.
