London Olympic Controversies

U.S.-Canada Soccer Dispute

The U.S. women's soccer team won one of the most exciting games team history in the Olympic semifinal, but two highly controversial calls allowed the United States to tie the game before Alex Morgan's winning header at the end of overtime. Morgan's 123rd minute header clinched a 4-3 win for the U.S., which came back from three separate deficits to fend off an exceptional Canadian side. The U.S. benefitted from an unusually rare delay-of-game call in the 80th minute after Norwegian referee Christiana Pedersen claimed Canada goalie Erin McLoed held the ball for six seconds. Megan Rapinoe's ensuing free kick from inside the box hit a Canadian defender, which Pedersen whistled a handball and awarded the U.S. a penalty kick. Abby Wambach would slot home the penalty to tie the game at 3. Canadian players were furious after the game, triggering Canada's Melissa Tancredi to say to Pedersen: "I hope you can sleep tonight and put on your American jersey."