Alex Morgan scored a penalty late in the second half to give the United States a win over Canada in the final of the CONCACAF W Championship.
Canada won the gold medal in the Olympics in Tokyo after defeating the USWNT in the semifinals.
Morgan said after the match that it felt good to be called a champion. We prevailed despite Canada giving us a run for our money.
Morgan fired just wide of the far post in the first five minutes of the game, as the side looked lively from the start.
The W Championship format should be kept.
The teams played a back-and-forth first 45 minutes, with both teams having chances, but neither could find the back of the net.
Smith had an opportunity after the hour mark. After outrunning the Canada defense to a perfectly weighted through ball from Morgan, Smith rounded Sheridan but slipped as she went to shoot into a wide open goal, with her effort ending up in the side net.
In the 76th minute, Canada's Allysha Chapman was sent off for a foul on Rose Lavelle in the penalty area and the U.S. scored on the ensuing penalty kick. It was Morgan's 118th goal for the USWNT and she finished the tournament as the player of the tournament.
Morgan was not with the team the last eight months. I was able to focus on San Diego and that helped me mentally and physically, and I was able to increase my role on the team.
I am happy, healthy and confident and feel like I can contribute to what is being asked of me. Right now, I'm in great shape.
Canada had a number of late opportunities, including a goal that went wide, but they couldn't find a way to score.
The USWNT's record in World Cup and Olympic qualification matches is 60-1 with the only loss coming against Mexico in 2011.
In the third-place match, Jamaica beat Costa Rica in extra time with a Kalyssa van Zanten goal, earning the right to play Canada in the second place match at the Paris Olympics.
The U.S., Canada, Jamaica and Costa Rica have already qualified for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to their performances in the W Championship.
Information from the AP was used.
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