Chile 1 - Canada "A" 1

Today was the first game of the Chile series and it featured a younger, more developmental Canadian side. I was already given a heads up about playing time and that most of the team members playing the rest of the series would get a lot less playing time. It was a good experience to watch from the bench and see a lot more of how our tactics get carried out and where they break down with out being on the field and worrying about my job. It's definitely an eye opener.

The game was tied 1-1 at the end and the Canadians, looking sharp in all black, were up 1-0 in the first half thanks to a great one time finish by Michelle Weber. Abi Raye hit a great ball from outside to Weber as she was cutting towards the net. Although its seemed a little frantic and panic-like at times, the girls did well the contain the pressure and work the ball around. Chile scored in the second half off a break down on their short corner and Canada still had a few other chances that they could have put in.

All in all it was a great learning experience and I think the girls should be proud. Tomorrow marks the first actual CAP game of the series where the top team will be lining up to face Chile's top team (if that wasn't their top team today). It's a unique event because Canada will be dressed in ALL PINK uniforms for the Game for the Cure. This was an event first held last September and two girls on our team, Tyla and Sam, shaved their heads to raise money for breast cancer. Tomorrow we continue that campaign and fans can buy pink tennis balls for the half-time ball toss and maybe win a prize!!

If you weren't able to see the event last year check out some photos: