San Diego Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan and the Canadian Women’s National Team earned a 0-0 draw to start the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opener in Australia on Thursday night. Sheridan earned her first FIFA World Cup start for her country in front of 21,057 fans at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
The Olympic champions had an opportunity to secure the lead when Portland Thorns Christine Sinclair stepped up to take a penalty in the 50th minute. The 40-year-old Canadian and all-time leading scorer in international soccer (190 goals), had her penalty saved by Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to keep the match level.
Sheridan, the 2022 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, was relied on in net for her country, but none more important than in the 80th minute when she had to make a close range shot save to secure the clean sheet for Canada.
The two sides are now tied for second place behind group leaders Australia after the co-hosts won their opening match 1-0 over Ireland on the tournament’s opening day. Canada will now face Ireland in Perth on Wednesday, July 26 at 5:00 p.m. PT, before closing out the group stage against Australia on Monday, July 31 at 3:00 a.m. PT back in Melbourne.
Notes:
- Tonight, San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan and defender Naomi Girma kick off the World Cup with the U.S. Women’s National Team against Vietnam. The Wave will host a watch party doubleheader at Novo Brazil Brewing in Otay Rang beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT. Following the USWNT match, the Wave kickoff in Portland at 7:30 p.m. PT to continue the club’s run in the UKG Challenge Cup.
