Women’s Olympic Soccer Picks: USA vs. Canada Predictions

Women’s Olympic Soccer Picks: USA vs. Canada Predictions

It wasn’t always pretty, but the United States Women’s National Team survived a quarterfinal scare against Netherlands, booking their trip to the 2021 Olympics semifinals and guaranteeing they’ll play for a medal.

It may seem like a forgone conclusion that the defending World Cup champions would be able to medal at the Olympics. But in 2016 the United States was upset by Sweden in the quarterfinals, reminding them that nothing is guaranteed.

Netherlands got out to a fast start, scoring in the 18th minute before two straight Team USA goals put them ahead, 2-1. But, the Netherlands responded in the second half, tying the game at 2 and sending it to extra time. Extra time stayed scoreless, sending the game to penalty kicks, where team USA won, 4-2.

Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Brazil also went to penalty kicks. The two teams played to a scoreless tie in regulation and extra time. Canada beat the Brazilians in PKs, 4-3.

So now we have a semifinal matchup between the No. 8 team in the world, Canada, and the No. 1 ranked USWNT, with a spot in the gold medal game on the line.

It’s time for some USA vs. Canada predictions and picks.

How to Watch USA vs. Canada: Olympic Semifinals

Date: Monday, August 2

Time: 4:00 AM ET

How to Watch: NBCSN

How to Stream: Peacock

Complete USA vs. Canada odds here

USA vs. Canada Predictions

In many ways, Team USA’s semifinal matchup against Canada is a more favorable one than their matchup with Netherlands in the quarterfinals. For starters, they won’t have to deal with the best player in the world in Vivianne Miedema, who scored twice in Friday’s quarterfinal.

Canada is yet to lose at the Olympics, but they’ve only won two of their four games. Canada doesn’t have the high-powered attack that the United States has, but they have a strong defensive unit. The Canadians have scored more than one goal at the Olympics just once, but they are yet to allow more than a single goal in a game.

These two teams play often, but it’s too much of a one-sided affair to consider it a rivalry. In the lifetime series between these two teams, the United States has won 52 times, there have been seven draws and Canada has won just three times.

Canada is going to need to score if they’re going to keep up with the United States, because there is no team on earth that can match the goal scoring ability of this United States side.

The most important thing for the United States is going to be figuring out how to stay onsides. Offsides infractions have absolutely killed the USWNT in the 2021 Olympics. They were offsides six times in the quarterfinal alone, infractions that took at least three USA goal off the board.

Still, I think the Team USA firepower will be too much for Canada to handle. We know that Alex Morgan gives teams fits up top, but it’s the United States midfield that makes them truly elite. Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan and Julie Ertz are all world class midfielders. They control the pace of play and do an unbelievable job not only distributing and creating chances, but finding the back of the net themselves as well.

I expect Canada to pack it in a bit and try and limit the chances the United States can get, but I just don’t think the Canadian attack will be able to threaten Alyssa Naeher often enough.

I’m riding Team USA and the under in this one.

USA vs. Canada Prediction & Picks

1u – USA Moneyline @ -143

1u – Under 2.5 Goals @ -110