SANDY, Utah (AP) - Amy Rodriguez scored the winning goal in the 85th minute to lift the United States past Canada 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium in its final tuneup before the London Olympics.
Rodriguez tapped Megan Rapinoe's cross to Abby Wambach, who overran it just outside the 6-yard box. Wambach turned away from the net, recovered and then back-heeled the ball toward the goal where it deflected off diving Canadian goalie Erin McLeod.
The rebound popped to Rodriguez just a few feet in front of an empty net.
“I think the first half was good,” said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage. “It was exactly what we expected and worked on. The game plan worked. The second half was a little shaky, we made four changes and it’s hard for the players to adjust right away. Despite that, if you look at the last 15 minutes, when we changed to 3-4-3 and really wanted to get that goal, I am really proud of our players. They believe in what they are doing and do it well.”
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when Canadian defender Carmelina Moscato attempted to clear a dangerous cross by Rapinoe but instead deflected it past her own goalkeeper and just inside the left post for an own goal.
Canada tied the match at 1-1 on in the 57th minute when Melissa Tancredi, who entered the match at halftime, beat U.S. goalie Hope Solo with a shot off the crossbar.
Alex Morgan, the American team's leading scorer this year, left with a leg injury in the 50th minute. The U.S. next plays in its Olympic opener against France on July 25 in Glasgow, two days before the Opening Ceremonies in London.
