W Stars Lead U.S., Canada at Olympics

W-League Feature

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – The conclusion of the 2012 London Olympics has provided a few days to reflect on not only the success of women’s soccer at the games, but the accomplishments that were fashioned on fields and in stadiums throughout North America. Both the United States and Canada Women’s National Teams came home with Olympic medals, and on the road to the podium the teams met in a semifinal which became arguably one of the best soccer matches ever played.

Dating back to 1995 and serving as the top level of women’s soccer in North America in 2012, it’s no surprise that the W-League had a huge presence on the medals platform. Each of the three medal-winning countries featured W-League-trained talent, with the Gold Medal-winning U.S. women featuring five players who competed during the 2012 season and a total of 12 from the 18-player roster who have been a part of the W-League during its 18-year history.

Japan, the Silver Medalist, was led by captain and domestic legend Homare Sawa, who toiled in the W-League as a 20-year-old in 1999 before eventually becoming the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. Canada captured the Bronze Medal due to late-match heroics from former Ottawa Fury standout Diana Matheson, and impressively all 20 players from the Canada squad have W-League experience, including semifinal hat-trick hero Christine Sinclair, who played three seasons with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

The Whitecaps led the way with 14 former players earning medals (13 Canadians), while the Ottawa Fury count six members of the Canadian squad as alums.

The 2012 W-League Finalist Pali Blues count five from the U.S. squad as alums including Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath, Amy LePeilbet, Alex Morgan and Kelley O’Hara, while Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo all suited up for the Seattle Sounders Women in 2012.

W-League 2012 Olympic Games Women’s Soccer Medalists

GOLD - U.S.

BRONZE - Canada