Washington Freedom and Canadian National Team Play to a 3-3 Tie

FAIRFAX, VA (May 23, 2010)Washington Freedom came onto the field at George Mason Stadium as an attacking force Sunday in an exhibition match versus the Canadian National Team. Freedom dominated the first half but were unable to hold onto the lead and finished with a 3-3 draw. Freedom took the lead quickly with two goals in the first 14 minutes of the match. The first goal came from Freedom forward Christie Welsh in the 11th minute. Beverly Goebel took a shot from just outside the box that deflected off the crossbar and fell right to Welsh, who blasted the ball in past Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. Shortly after the first goal of the match, Freedoms Lene Mykjland beat the Canadian defense on the left flank and lobbed a shot into the back of the net in the 14th minute. Freedom continued to pressure the Canadian defense early in the first half, but Canada was quick to answer when Kelly Parker made a run and sent the ball up to Christina Julien who was able to fire the ball into the lower left corner of the net, beating Freedoms goalkeeper Erin McLeod. Freedoms defense was able to make a strong presence, contributing to many of the shots throughout the first half. In the 33rd minute, Freedom was able to gain a third goal when Sonia Bompastor sent a corner kick into the center of the box. Welsh dominated in the air and scored with a header, bringing the score to 3-1, which would remain for the rest of the first half. All around, the first half was great. We made changes in the second. It took us time to adjust. They gave us some good competition. It was a great game for us, said Washington Freedom striker Christie Welsh. Canada dominated the beginning of the second half, coming out with two quick goals to even up the score. Canadas Kelly Parker sent a through ball to Christine Sinclair who was able to get a toe on the ball and get the first goal of the second half in the 51st minute. Less than two minutes later, Parker sent a shot in that was saved by McLeod, but the deflection went to Canadas Jodi Robinson who sent the rebound into the back of the net to even the score. The goals we let up in the second half came from a lack of focus, a lack of sharpness. I think we righted ourselves after that, said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra. Erin McLeod, the goalkeeper for both the Canadian National Team and Freedom, who announced earlier in the week that Canadian Coach Carolina Morace decided she would play for Freedom, was happy to see her club team and national team face off. It was a good experience overall, said McLeod. The more Freedom can play against teams like this, the better we will be. Canadian goalkeepers Erin McLeod and Karina LeBlanc will face each other again next week when Freedom takes on Philadelphia Independence on May 30 at 6:00pm at Maryland SoccerPlex and on Fox Soccer Channel.