Canada coach: Kailen Sheridan ‘has shown that she’s ready’ for big stage

Monday’s Concacaf W Championship between the USWNT and Canada could be tabbed as multiple things: a rematch from last year’s Olympics, a rivalry between neighbors.

But it was also a showdown between two of the world’s best goalkeepers.

While just one goal was scored — a penalty by Alex Morgan in the 78th minute — that doesn’t take away from the performance of Kailen Sheridan in net for Canada, both in the game and throughout the tournament.

For her efforts, Sheridan was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, having not allowed a goal all tournament save for Morgan’s penalty.

“Kailen [Sheridan] has shown that she’s ready,” said Canada head coach Bev Priestman, who added that Sheridan has done a great job stepping into Stephanie Labbé’s shoes. “I thought she was fantastic, showed her leadership.”

With two talented programs, the results were destined to be tight. That much could be said a year ago at the Olympics, when Canada advanced 1-0 off of a penalty kick. The same could be said on Monday.

“Tokyo, it was decided on a penalty. Tonight was decided on a penalty,” Priestman said. “I knew it was going to be tight. … It’s fine margins at this level.”

And while Priestman doesn’t believe last night was the best performance her team could have given, she was proud of the way the team responded after Morgan’s goal.

“They showed that they were willing to do anything to get the result back,” she said. “We gave it everything and that’s all you can ask (for).

“That’s what finals are about. These things happen. The most important thing for us is that we keep moving forward. And I’ll say that to the group. I’m incredibly proud of them.”