Leon, Lacasse lead Canadian women's soccer team past Mexico in pre-Olympic friendly

Adriana Leon and Cloe Lacasse scored in the second half to lift Canada to a 2-0 win over Mexico in a pre-Olympic women's international soccer friendly Saturday.

Leon corralled a pass from Evelyne Viens in the 73rd minute before slotting a left-footed strike past Mexican goalkeeper Celeste Espino to open the scoring in front of 15, 319 fans on a sunny, 27 C afternoon at Saputo Stadium.

WATCH | Canada's women's soccer team downs Mexico:

Lacasse made it 2-0 in the 86th by calmly placing the ball into the back of the net on a breakaway as Viens earned her second assist.

Canada improved to 23-2-3 all-time against Mexico. The ninth-ranked Canadian women went winless against No. 31 Mexico in their previous two meetings (0-1-1) in November 2021.

The two sides will meet for a rematch Tuesday at Toronto's BMO Field to wrap up the "Summer Send-off Series."

Canada, which won gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, opens defence of its Olympic title July 25 against New Zealand.

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