US down Canada, Brazil’s Marta makes winning return

MIAMI: The US showed solidarity with the Canadian women’s team in their pay dispute before beating them 2-0 in the opening game of the SheBelieves Cup in Orlando on Thursday.

The Canadian team had threatened to go on strike last week due to their dispute over pay and contracts with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) before backing down after they were warned their action would not be legal.

The team are also demanding equal terms to the men’s national side and captain Christine Sinclair had made it clear the team were playing under protest.

The team walked out ahead of the game wearing purple tee-shirts emblazoned with the slogan ‘Enough is Enough’ and before kickoff they former a joint huddle with the US team.

American players, who reached a landmark settlement on equal pay and conditions with the men’s team last year, have been vocal in support of the Canadian team, many of whom play in the States for NWSL clubs.

But the gesture of solidarity did nothing to blunt the sharpness of the US team who attacked from the outset with Mallory Swanson forcing Canada keeper Kailen Sheridan into a near post save in the opening minute.

Sheridan was alert again to keep out an effort from Ashley Sanchez and it was no surprise when the Americans grabbed the lead in the seventh minute.

Alex Morgan, who had been honored before kickoff to recognize her recently passing 200 national team appearances, laid off to Swanson who beat Sheridan with a sweetly struck effort from the edge of the box.

It was the fourth straight game in which Swanson has found the target.

Lindsey Horan headed against the post as the Americans pushed for a second which came in the 35th minute with Swanson on target again afer she intercepted a poor back