This is an excerpt from The Buzzer, which is CBC Sports' daily email newsletter. Stay up to speed on what's happening in sports by subscribing here. Yesterday's devastating 4-0 loss to co-host Australia eliminated Canada from the Women's World Cup.
But, even with the Olympic champions gone, there are many reasons to keep following the tournament. Such as: The United States' three-peat hopes are on a knife edge. The world's top-ranked team came in as the betting favourite to win its unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title.
But, after beating newcomer Vietnam 3-0 and settling for a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, the Americans needed a win or a tie today in their group-stage finale vs.
Portugal to advance. They got it, but just barely, eking out a scoreless draw against a 21st-ranked team that did not qualify for the playoff rounds.