Opinion: Canada believes it can beat USWNT in Olympic semifinals. Except it rarely has

TOKYO — It’s not a true rivalry unless you can actually win a game every once in a while.

The USWNT’s semifinal against Canada is being made out to be the latest in a long series of grudge matches between the otherwise friendly neighbors. Which, aside from that testy meeting in the semis at the London Olympics, it really is not.

“If we turn up and do what we can do, I believe – I truly believe, and I believed this in February – I believe we can do this,” Canada coach Bev Priestman said Sunday.

OK. But, so far, Canada hasn’t.