Women’s Soccer, July 2022: A Series
This is the tenth post in a series devoted to the 117 games of international women’s football played in July 2022, covering the CONCACAF W Championship semifinals. If you’d like to start from the beginning (or to pick and choose your competitions), you can do so from my opening post. Next up are the 3^rd and 4^th rounds of the Copa América Femenina group stage.

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W Championship – Semifinals (14^th)

The W Championship semifinals provided the eighth and tenth games of Thursday the 14^th, the one day featuring games from all five tournaments that month. Given the dominance of the United States and Canada in CONCACAF, these semifinals were always likely to feel like a foregone conclusion—but that feeling was exacerbated by the decision of both Costa Rica and Jamaica to rest starters, presumably in anticipation of the 3^rd place game.

The reason behind this decision is not particularly clear. The winner of the 3^rd place game qualified for a two-legged playoff with the losing finalist, to be played in September 2023, to determine the final CONCACAF spot in the 2024 Olympics. But resting players for the “opportunity” for a two-legged tie against one of the giants of CONCACAF doesn’t really seem much different than a semifinal and final against (probably) the giants of CONCACAF.

It’s possible that, notwithstanding Canada’s recent successes, teams held a belief in US superiority that suggested that two games (probably) against Canada were a better gamble. More likely, in my view, is that the financial benefits of a home-and-away tie against either Canada or the United States were more enticing than the unlikely possibility of actually winning a semifinal and final.

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Whatever the motivation, manager Amelia Valverde made seven changes for Costa Rica, none of whom had played previously in the tournament, for the opening semifinal against the United States. The game plan, however, was no different than in their last group stage game against Canada: set up in a 5-4-1 and look to keep the United States from breaking them down.

The plan wasn’t very successful. Alex Morgan had already had two near misses when Emily Sonnett jabbed home a corner kick that was pinballing around the goalmouth at 34’. Mallory Pugh added a second in first half stoppage time off a turnover that Rose Lavelle fed her with a brilliant backheeled pass into the box.

At halftime, Valverde brought on Melissa Herrera as part of a double substitution, and her attacking thrust up the left flank limited the offensive contributions of US rightback Sofia Huerta in the second. Even so, the match wasn’t much in doubt. With the final action of the game, 63’ substitute Ashley Sanchez stepped onto a long ball brought down by Morgan and rifled home a third goal to cap the US victory.

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In the final game of that packed Thursday, Jamaica similarly looked to hold off Canada. Unlike Costa Rica, Jamaica’s rotation was more moderate and in parts shaped by illnesses and players returning from suspension. Even the most surprising omission, star striker Khadijah “Bunny” Shaw, was at least ostensibly being rested with a calf injury.

Jamaica started the game well despite conceding at 18’, Jessie Fleming heading in a redirected cross from Ashley Lawrence. Even after that goal, they continued for a time to threaten on the counter. But as the first half wore on, Canada grew more dominant, both in possession and threat. At halftime, Jamaica made a double substitution, and while they did not exactly flourish as a result, neither did Canada increase their lead.

At 53’, Bev Priestman made a quadruple change for Canada, bringing on Adriana Leon, Allysha Chapman, Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso. Those changes turned the tide, particularly Leon, who just ten days earlier had signed for Manchester United after leaving West Ham. At 64’, she put in a lovely right cross to the far post for 5’3” Chapman to head in, and at 77’ she scored one of her own off a flick on from Huitema. Grosso nearly added a fourth, but for a brilliant save by Rebecca Spencer, who had an excellent game all around.

The end result was as expected: the United States and Canada advanced to the final, while Costa Rica and Jamaica would battle for 3^rd place.

Next up: Copa América Femenina – Group Stage, Rounds 3-4