Canadian WNT blanks Costa Rica to secure top spot of Group B at CONCACAF W Championship
CBC
Canada survived searing heat and a packed Costa Rica defence Monday, winning 2-0 to clinch top spot in Group B ahead of the knockout rounds at the CONCACAF W Championship.
Jessie Fleming and Sophie Schmidt scored elegant goals as Canada improved to 3-0-0 at the eight-team tournament.
The Canadian women had plenty of chances to add to their lead but lacked clinical finishing on a steamy night at Estadio BBVA, a 51,000-capacity venue that is home to CF Monterrey. It was 40 degrees Celsius at kickoff, which was 6 p.m. local time.
Despite the heat, the Canadians showed plenty of stamina and creative spark against a Costa Rica team that switched to a back five in a failed bid to slow down the Canada attack.
"I think [Canadian] players walking off the pitch would have wanted some moments back where it could have been more than two [goals]. But at the same time I thought we created a lot and we dominated. So that's the main thing," said Priestman.
WATCH | Fleming's early marker vs. Costa Rica helps Canada top Group B:
Canada outshot Costa Rica 11-1 (5-1 in shots on target), according to CONCACAF.
"Overall I thought it was a professional performance," said Priestman. "It wasn't perfect but it was professional."
Finishing first in the group means avoiding the top-ranked U.S., who wrapped up group play Monday night with a 1-0 victory against winless Mexico, in the semifinals. Kristie Mewis scored the winner in the 89th minute, 16 minutes after Lizbeth Ovalle of Mexico was given a red card.
Canada and the U.S. have met in five of the previous 10 CONCACAF women's finals, with the U.S. winning all five. But the Canadians beat the Americans 1-0 in the Tokyo Olympics semifinal en route to claiming gold last summer.
Priestman believes her team is headed in the right direction.
"Definitely the team has another gear and that's exciting as a coach. I think we've come out of this third game in a much closer space to where we need to be for the two games that are ahead of us."
In earlier group play, the Canadians blanked No. 76 Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 and No. 57 Panama 1-0, while Costa Rica defeated Panama 3-0 and Trinidad 4-0.
Those wins meant both Canada and Costa Rica had already secured World Cup qualification.