SAN JOSE, Calif. — The U.S. women’s national team closed out their 2017 campaign with a statement win over Canada in front of 17,960 fans. Julie Ertz scored in the first half, and despite an equalizer from Janine Beckie for Canada in the 50th minute, the U.S. immediately answered via Alex Morgan in the 56th […]

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The U.S. women’s national team closed out their 2017 campaign with a statement win over Canada in front of 17,960 fans. Julie Ertz scored in the first half, and despite an equalizer from Janine Beckie for Canada in the 50th minute, the U.S. immediately answered via Alex Morgan in the 56th minute. Carli Lloyd entered the match as a sub, and almost immediately bagged the insurance goal to ensure the win on American soil.At first, Beckie’s goal in the 50th minute seemed to promise a replay of Thursday night’s draw between these two same teams – as Boston Breakers forward Adrianna Leon had scored in the 56th minute to earn a 1–1 draw in Vancouver. “They let the U.S. impose themselves just a bit too much,” said Canada head coach John Herdman about the first half, “and some of our key players weren’t really looking to get on the ball in moments they could’ve. They all held their hands up, so that second half, them coming out was fantastic. They looked the team that they looked like in Vancouver. The equalizer, I thought that was going to turn the game.” It only took six minutes, however, for Morgan to undo the damage. Her goal was not just her 80th career goal for the U.S. national team, but her seventh goal in seven games for the red, white and blue. [Empty Body] That response and the win meant the U.S. national team finished 2017 with a 12-3-1 record, and a result in eight of their last matches of the year (7-0-1). “I definitely feel a lot better,” Sam Mewis said on Sunday night, comparing it to the general vibe after Thursday’s draw. “I think we performed better. We really came together as a group. I think we were able to move the ball a lot better. “I give the coaching staff a lot of credit; they were really able to break down what the problem was, and I think we also did a lot of problem solving on the field. I’m really proud of the group. It feels really good to go out on a high note, and I think it’s been a really important year of growth for this team.” And much like Mewis and her own media availability before the final match, Jill Ellis also took the much larger view of Sunday’s game into the bigger picture of the campaign for 2019. There was one key part for Ellis: “From the last game to this game, I think we grew.” With the process underway, the win was a sign that things are heading in the right direction, even if all the pieces aren’t firmly locked into place. “There’s more to come,” Ellis said after the match. “We’ve got to build on this. In truth, I felt this, we’re scratching the surface of where I think this team can end up.” Watch all four of the goals from Sunday night’s game: [Empty Body] [Youtube oembed has failed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5__KNShvuXw] [Empty Body] [Empty Body] The U.S. women’s national team is now off until a camp in January, but Canada still has one final match before their year is done. They’ll face Norway later this month, with the game to be played in Spain. * * *

– U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Canada
Date: Nov. 12, 2017
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Avaya Stadium; San Jose, Calif.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT
Attendance: 17,960
Weather: 64 degrees, clear

**Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
** USA 1 2 3 **
** CAN 0 1 1

USA – Julie Ertz (Megan Rapinoe) 11^th minute
CAN – Janine Beckie (Nichelle Prince) 50
USA – Alex Morgan (Christen Press) 56
USA – Carli Lloyd (Alex Morgan) 80

**Lineups:
** USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 22-Taylor Smith (14-Casey Short, 66), 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (capt.), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 5-Kelley O’Hara; 8-Julie Ertz (6-Andi Sullivan, 75), 9-Lindsey Horan, 3-Samantha Mewis (10-Carli Lloyd, 75); 23-Christen Press (12-Lynn Williams, 82), 13-Alex Morgan, 15-Megan Rapinoe
*Subs not used: 24-Ashlyn Harris; 16-Emily Sonnett, 20-Allie Long

• Head coach: Jill Ellis

CAN: 1-Stephanie Labbe; 2-Allysha Chapman, 4-Shelina Zadorsky, 5-Rebecca Quinn; 11-Desiree Scott (24-Ariel Young, 71), 17-Jessie Fleming, 20-Maegan Kelly (22-Lindsay Agnew, 60); 6-Deanne Rose (15-Nichelle Prince, 31), 12-Christine Sinclair (9-Jordyn Huitema, 60), 16-Janine Beckie (23-Julia Grosso, 90), 19-Adriana Leon (14-Jayde Riviere, 71)
*Subs not used: 18-Sabrina D’Angelo, 21-Kailen Sheridan

• Head coach: John Herdman

Stats Summary: USA / CAN
Shots: 12 / 8
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 1 / 4
Corner Kicks: 10 / 2
Fouls: 12 / 12
Offside: 1 / 0

**Misconduct Summary:
** CAN – Jayde Riviere (caution) 79^th minute

**Officials:
** Referee: Karen Abt (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Felisha Mariscal (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Deleana Quan (USA)
4th Official: Christina Unkel (USA)

Budweiser Woman of the Match: Lindsey Horan