After the celebration had ended and the Canadian players started to make their way to the locker room, Captain Christine Sinclair stayed a little longer.
She was lying on the Kashima Stadium grass alone, soaking in the moment.
Relief. Excitement. Redemption.
“We finally won. For those of us who were part of the 2012 game, it was nice to get a little revenge in an Olympic semifinal,” Sinclair said.
Nine years after heartbreak and controversy at Old Trafford at London 2012, the Canadian women’s soccer team defeated the number-one ranked United States 1-0 in their semifinal on Monday at the Tokyo Games.
The only goal of the match came off the boot of Jessie Fleming of London, Ont., who converted a penalty kick in the 74th minute.
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Fleming was cool under pressure, delivering a perfect strike that sent Canada into the championship game.
“I was confident where I was going to go. I usually pick the spot the night before,” Fleming said of her kick.
“It’s just one kick. Trusting myself. Took a deep breath. I knew I could do it.”
WATCH | Jessie Fleming scores on penalty kick to lift Canada:
Midfielder Jessie Fleming scores on a penalty in the seventy-fifth minute as Canada defeats U.S. 1-0 and advances to the women’s soccer gold medal match. 1:28
Gold-medal match awaits
Canada now moves on to play in the Olympic gold-medal match for the first time in the country’s history.
After all the battles over all the years for Canada on the pitch, Sinclair beamed as she spoke to media.
“Our goal coming here was to change the colour. Two back-to-back bronzes. We were kind of sick of that. And this team, wow. What a performance. What a fight. One more to go,” she said.
Fleming celebrates after converting the penalty kick that sends Canada to the women’s soccer finals in Tokyo. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
Fleming’s goal was made possible because of a video review in the second half — it was ruled Canada’s Deanne Rose was taken down in the penalty area by Tierna Davidson and Canada was awarded a penalty kick.
“It’s really special to get to contribute to the win. There’s a group of players on our team who have worked on this for 20 years. Seeing them cry after that match means so much,” she said.
“We hear you back home. Thank you for the support.”
Rare victory comes at clutch time
This marks just the second time ever the United States are not advancing to the championship game. The Americans had played in every final since 1996 except once, in the last Games in Rio.
This was only the fourth Canadian win over the USA in 62 meetings.
This victory came inside an empty Kashima Stadium on a hot and humid Monday afternoon in Japan. The Canadians celebrated wildly on the lush pitch, huddling around one another and dancing and yelling and singing.
WATCH | Canadian women’s soccer team advances to Olympic final:
Canadian women’s soccer team defeats the number-one ranked United States 1-0 in their semifinal at Tokyo 2020. 1:55
“Indescribable. I remember asking the ref how much time? How much time? When that final whistle blew I just dropped to my knees in pure joy. Thank goodness. Thank goodness for this moment,” said Desiree Scott.
“This is fricken incredible.”
‘Change the colour’
Canada will play Sweden in the gold-medal match, which goes Friday morning at 11 a.m. in Japan, 10 p.m. ET on Thursday in Canada.
The rallying cry coming from Canada into these Games was “change the colour” after back-to-back bronze medals. Now they have their chance.
“I’m just so proud of this team. It’s a unique group. It’s a special group. One that I’m so honoured and proud to be a part of. We fight for everything,” Sinclair said.
“I was talking to Desi Scott and we were saying we’ve been waiting nine years for this chance to have this game again. And that we were going to do everything possible to have a different outcome. We did.”
WATCH | A redemption story 9 years in the making:
The Canadian women’s national team defeated the United States for the first time in 20 years, pushing their way through the Olympic semifinals and into the gold-medal match. 1:52
Much of the play early in the match was in Canada’s end of the pitch as the powerhouse Americans were wanting to apply pressure in the high-stakes game — in fact, for the first 10 minutes the Canadians struggled to move the ball past midfield.
The play was physical, feisty and it was clear the player’s emotions were running high.
Canada’s first somewhat threatening chance came 14 minutes into the game when Nichelle Prince was trying to track down a ball in the U.S.’s penalty area but was thwarted.
That charge from Prince seemed to spark the Canadians, getting rewarded for their much more organized play with two corners.
“I’m so proud of my team. They’re my best friends. I’m so glad we’re bringing back a better medal than bronze,” said player Quinn, who goes by one name.
“I’m doing this for the people I grew up looking up to. Like Sincy.”
American goalkeeper injured
At the 19-minute mark, U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher shot into the air to clear away a threatening ball from Canada and landed awkwardly on her right knee. She was down on the pitch for minutes before getting up and putting weight on her right leg.
After a delay of more than seven minutes, she was good to go and stayed in the match — but it lasted only minutes. After one kick, Naeher was visibly in pain and left the game.
Adrianna Franch took over the rest of the way.
WATCH | U.S. goalkeeper Naeher injured:
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is taken out of the game after suffering an apparent knee injury during the first half of their semifinal match against Canada. 1:46
After a frantic few minutes, the game settled down as both teams found their footing. Not a single shot on target was registered for either side in the first half.
An old score settled
Sinclair and Scott were the only two players on the pitch Monday for Canada who were also on the pitch nine years earlier at Old Trafford for that infamous game.
Sinclair put forward one of the greatest performances ever by a Canadian soccer player that day, scoring a hat trick. But it wasn’t enough.
What happened that day on the pitch in August of 2012 will never be forgotten.
Those chaotic late minutes in the game, laced with confusion, chaos and frustration still linger.
In what can only be described as a baffling call made by referee Norwegian referee Christiana Pedersen, Canadian keeper Erin McLeod was penalized for a delay of game for holding the ball for more than six seconds. It’s a call rarely ever made.
The Americans were awarded a free kick outside the Canadian. On that kick Canada’s Marie-Eve Nault was charged with a handball in the penalty area.
Abby Wambach of the United States tied the game.
After the game, then coach John Herdman was livid.
“She’ll have to sleep in bed tonight after watching the replays. She’s got that to live with,” he said on that August day. “We’ll move on from this, I wonder if she’ll be able to.”
The team has moved on. Sinclair has moved on.
Canada is moving on to the championship game.
“Job one is done for us, changing the colour,” Sinclair said.
“Now that we’re in the final we go for it. We’re ready.”
Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot has announced he will be out for the rest of the CFL season.
The Delta, B.C., native posted the news on his Instagram page Thursday.
“To Be Continued. Shoutout my team, the fans of the CFL and the whole city of Montreal! I can’t wait to be back healthy and write this next chapter in 2025,” the statement read.
Philpot, 24, injured his foot in a 33-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 10 and was placed on the six-game injured list the next week.
The six-foot-one, 195-pound receiver had 58 receptions, 779 yards and five touchdowns in nine games for the league-leading Alouettes in his third season.
Philpot scored the game-winning touchdown in Montreal’s Grey Cup win last season to punctuate a six-reception, 63-yard performance.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get “proper procedural evaluation” and “appropriate care” on Friday.
“The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from here.”
Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.
“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right.”
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.
“If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said on Amazon following the game. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK. But it’s tough, man. This game of football that we play, it’s got its highs and it’s got its lows — and this is one of the lows.”
Tagovailoa’s college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.
When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone’s guess. Tagovailoa said in April 2023 that the concussions he had in the 2022 season left him contemplating his playing future. “I think I considered it for a time,” he said then, when asked if he considered stepping away from the game to protect himself.
McDaniel said it’s not his place to say if Tagovailoa should return to football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa was hurt Thursday on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Tagovailoa wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at him as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
“I love Tua on and off the football field,” Bills edge Von Miller said. “I’m a huge fan of him. I can empathize and sympathize with him because I’ve been there. I wish him the best.”
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.
He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.
The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.
Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.
His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.
“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands,” McDaniel said. “I’m just worried about the human being.”
NEW YORK (AP) — When her husband turns on the television to hear news about the upcoming presidential election, that’s often a signal for Lori Johnson Malveaux to leave the room.
It can get to be too much. Often, she’ll go to a TV in another room to watch a movie on the Hallmark Channel or BET. She craves something comforting and entertaining. And in that, she has company.
While about half of Americans say they are following political news “extremely” or “very” closely, about 6 in 10 say they need to limit how much information they consume about the government and politics to avoid feeling overloaded or fatigued, according to a new survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts.
Make no mistake: Malveaux plans to vote. She always does. “I just get to the point where I don’t want to hear the rhetoric,” she said.
The 54-year-old Democrat said she’s most bothered when she hears people on the news telling her that something she saw with her own eyes — like the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol — didn’t really happen.
“I feel like I’m being gaslit. That’s the way to put it,” she said.
Sometimes it feels like ‘a bombardment’
Caleb Pack, 23, a Republican from Ardmore, Oklahoma, who works in IT, tries to keep informed through the news feeds on his phone, which is stocked with a variety of sources, including CNN, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press.
Yet sometimes, Pack says, it seems like a bombardment.
“It’s good to know what’s going on, but both sides are pulling a little bit extreme,” he said. “It just feels like it’s a conversation piece everywhere, and it’s hard to escape it.”
Media fatigue isn’t a new phenomenon. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in late 2019 found roughly two in three Americans felt worn out by the amount of news there is, about the same as in a poll taken in early 2018. During the 2016 presidential campaign, about 6 in 10 people felt overloaded by campaign news.
But it can be particularly acute with news related to politics. The AP-NORC/USAFacts poll found that half of Americans feel a need to limit their consumption of information related to crime or overseas conflicts, while only about 4 in 10 are limiting news about the economy and jobs.
It’s easy to understand, with television outlets like CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC full of political talk and a wide array of political news online, sometimes complicated by disinformation.
“There’s a glut of information,” said Richard Coffin, director of research and advocacy for USAFacts, “and people are having a hard time figuring out what is true or not.”
Women are more likely to feel they need to limit media
In the AP-NORC poll, about 6 in 10 men said they follow news about elections and politics at least “very” closely, compared to about half of women. For all types of news, not just politics, women are more likely than men to report the need to limit their media consumption, the survey found.
White adults are also more likely than Black or Hispanic adults to say they need to limit media consumption on politics, the poll found.
Kaleb Aravzo, 19, a Democrat, gets a baseline of news by listening to National Public Radio in the morning at home in Logan, Utah. Too much politics, particularly when he’s on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram, can trigger anxiety and depression.
“If it pops up on my page when I’m on social media,” he said, “I’ll just scroll past it.”
___
Sanders reported from Washington. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder.
The AP poll of 1,019 adults was conducted July 29-August 8, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.
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