FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - Canada Part 1 The Hosts

Occasionally I like to comment on sporting events other than hockey, this time its the Women's World Cup that has been played over the last few weeks.
Whilst travelling around North America in March/April I got to see first hand the hype and build up to the tournament. From TV Network interviews with United States star player Alex Morgan to promotional posters of the Host Nation all over Winnipeg.
I must admit, I have never really watched Women's football until this past month. It's not that I didn't want to, just a case that it isn't promoted enough within the UK, and that's a shame. I thoroughly enjoyed watching every game, and with my love for both USA & Canada, it was always an easy choice who I would be rooting for during the tournament.
Don't get me wrong, my country, England did fantastically well to reach the Semi-finals, as did fellow Europeans, Germany. But nothing compares to when you hear the 'Star Spangled Banner' or 'Oh Canada'. It brings back memories, oh so happy memories of sporting events across the pond.

The hosts, Canada, opened up the Tournament, with a nervy performance (mainly due to the expectation heaped upon them, with being the hosts), against China. Experienced central defender, Lauren Sesselmann commented on twitter after the game how she was sorry for her own performance. I thought she was being harsh on herself, it was clear to see she was a quality player  and a very classy defender. The fact Canada only conceded one goal during the group stages was testament to that. Sesselmann's defensive partner Kadeisha Buchanan, only 19, was a tough-tackling tornado, that ripped opposing forwards apart (in a good way). She, will go on to have a great career, I am sure. Josee Belanger and Allysha Chapman were impressive in the full back berths too.
Ashley Lawrence and Desiree Scott formed a solid barrier, protecting the back four, while Sophie Schmidt looked busy and inventive. Kaylyn Kyle and Jessie Fleming shared right midfield duties and both looked class.

Christine Sinclair, is very much the superstar of the team, and as captain leads well by example. During the BBC coverage of a game in Vancouver, we got to see a very interesting video of Christine back in her home town of Burnaby, BC. It got me thinking just how many sports stars have come out of that town. Being the hockey nerd I am, Darren McCarty and Joe Sakic instantly spring to mind, but Burnaby certainly has produced some quality sports people.

Jonelle Filigno and Melissa Tancredi did great supporting Christine down the flanks, but for me Adriana Leon was really great to watch. Mainly operating down the left flank, Adriana always looked dangerous on the ball, using her pace and skill to link up well with Christine Sinclair.

Only 22, Adriana, accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame, and played for the Fighting Irish women's soccer team in 2010 and 2011. As a freshman in 2010, she came off the bench to score the Irish's lone goal in their 1–0 victory over the Stanford Cardinal in the title game of the NCAA national championship tournament. As a sophomore, she was the second leading scorer for the Irish.
After her sophomore season, Adriana transferred to the University of Florida, where she played for coach Becky Burleigh's Florida Gators women's soccer team in 2012. She was the Gators' sixth leading scorer despite missing her first three matches while she was touring Japan with the Canadian national U-20 team. Adriana scored four game-winning goals for the Gators, and helped lead the team to Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championships.

Having now graduated from college, Adriana joined the Boston Breakers in the new National Women's Soccer League, in 2013, as part of the NWSL Player Allocation. Adriana scored her first goal in a 5–1 loss against Sky Blue FC on June 1, 2013.
On June 29, 2013, Boston Breakers traded her to the Chicago Red Stars for her Canadian national teammate, Carmelina Moscato.
Adriana was called up to the Canada U-20 camp in December 2009 and played in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. In December 2012, she was called up to the senior Canadian team for the 2013 Four Nations Tournament, making her first international appearance against China on January 12, 2013 and scoring the game-winning goal in a 1–0 victory.