Three Washington Spirit players qualify for 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Washington Spirit  |   October 15, 2018
Three Washington Spirit players qualify for 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Featured Image

By Mason Cavalier
WashingtonSpirit.com

Boyds, MD – The Washington Spirit had three players qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup upon winning CONCACAF Women’s Championship semi-final matches, with Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle for the U.S., and Rebecca Quinn for Canada.

Canada vs Panama

Canada 7 – 0 Panama

Washington Spirit midfielder/defender Rebecca Quinn was key for Canada in their big 7-0 win over Panama in the CONCACAF Women’s Championships semi-final, scoring a goal and securing Canada’s place in the finals, as well as their place in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Quinn played a large part in Canada’s build up play during the first half, and had the ball at her feet early and often. Quinn often started attacks from the back-line by finding her teammates upfield; she completed 91% of her passes in the first half, making 32 total. Quinn would go on to complete 96% of her passes, 67 total in the game. The 23-year-old defender played a full 90 minutes for the third time in the tournament, earning her 44th cap with the Canadian WNT.

In the 35th minute, Quinn found herself on the end of a whipped in cross after a Canada free-kick, but just pushed the glancing header wide of goal. Canada finished the half with 69% possession, also outshooting Panama 10 to 1 thanks to a strong defensive performance by Quinn and her teammates.

After scoring just once in the first, Canada would explode to score six more times in the second half. Quinn added to scoring burst in the 63rd minute, converting a tap-in goal after Panama’s goalkeeper Farissa Cordoba was unable to contain a Janine Beckie free-kick to push Canada’s lead to 5-0. It was Quinn’s fifth goal of her international career, and her second goal of the tournament.

Canada has allowed just one goal in their last five games, and has not lost since last July. They will take on the United States WNT in the Women’s Championship Final on October 17 at 8 p.m. EST.

Scoring Report

Goals 1st 2nd F
CAN 1 6 7
PAN 0 0 0

44’ – Christine Sinclair – CAN

47’ – Jessie Fleming – CAN

48’ – Christine Sinclair – CAN

58’ – Janine Beckie – CAN

63’ – Rebecca Quinn – CAN

76’ – Adriana Leon – CAN

78’ – Adriana Leon – CAN

USA vs Jamaica

United States 6 – 0 Jamaica

Washington Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle featured in the starting line-up for Jill Ellis’ U.S. squad in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship semi-final against the Jamaican WNT, and forward Mallory Pugh was an unused substitute. With a 6-0 victory, the U.S. WNT earned a spot in the Women’s Championship finals as well as the upcoming 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Spirit midfielder Lavelle was an engine in the midfield, completing 88% of her passes in the contest, only misplacing two. Despite not getting on the score sheet, Lavelle created two shots, with her best chance coming in the 30th minute after she beat Jamaican defender Dominique Bond-Flasza to a loose ball in the box, only for her close ranged left-footed strike to be saved. 23-year-old Lavelle made her 18th international appearance, and was substituted for Emily Sonnett in the 58th minute.

The U.S. found the back of the net six times, with the first coming when Lindsey Horan’s shot was redirected into the path of Tobin Heath, who converted the tap in opportunity past Jamaican goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 2nd minute. Megan Rapinoe doubled the U.S.lead in the 15th, finishing a chance into the top left corner, providing the U.S. with their first insurance goal.

Julie Ertz converted a header after a Crystal Dunn cross in the 21st minute, and Heath followed suit, volleying a Horan cross eight minutes later to make it 4-0. Alex Morgan also got her name on the score sheet twice, slotting home a volley at the edge of the six-yard box following a free kick in the 33rd minute, and converting a penalty the 84th.

Lavelle, Pugh, and the U.S. WNT will take on the Canadian WNT in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship Finals on October 17th at 8 p.m. EST.

Scoring Report

Goals 1st 2nd F
US 5 1 6
JAM 0 0 0

2’ – Tobin Heath – US

15’ – Megan Rapinoe – US

21’ Julie Ertz – US

29’ – Tobin Heath – US

33’ – Alex Morgan – US

84’ – Alex Morgan – US

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