Plenty of chances but no goals as Canada draws Mexico in women’s soccer friendly

VANCOUVER – Canada’s women’s soccer team created a number of chances in an inspired effort Sunday but settled for a 0-0 draw with Mexico in an international friendly.

Canada, ranked seventh in the world, had a chance to grab the lead in the 48th minute, but Sophie Schmidt sliced a cross from Brittany Baxter over the Mexican goal.

Kaylyn Kyle then had a golden opportunity in alone in the 53rd only to have Mexican goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago make a big save before stopping Emily Zurrer’s effort on the ensuing corner.

Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who replaced Erin McLeod at halftime, charged off her line to quell a Mexican chance five minutes later.

After a first half that saw action at both ends, the game settled into a midfield battle until Santiago came up with a big save on Christine Sinclair in the 78th minute. A Mexican defender then blocked Lauren Sesselmann’s rebound chance.

Santiago had Sinclair’s number again in the 87th, stopping the Canadian captain’s effort with a diving save.

Canada pressed late but the Mexicans held firm in securing the deserved draw.

Sunday’s crowd was vocal, with pockets of Mexican supporters scattered across B.C. Place Stadium, the same pitch that will be the site of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final.

As hosts of a tournament that is still some 18 months away, Canadian head coach John Herdman has plenty of time to tinker with his lineup and formation.

He did just that during a three-week training camp in suburban Vancouver in the leadup to the Mexico game, including in his squad two inexperienced defenders — 16-year-old Sura Yekka and 20-year-old Rachel Melhado — along with 27-year-old forward Kara Lang, who retired almost three years ago after suffering two serious knee injuries.

After a drab 3-0 victory over South Korea in Edmonton last month, Canada and 24th-ranked Mexicans provided a lot of entertainment in the opening 45 minutes.

Canada’s Rian Wilkinson fired in a good cross in the fourth minute that had Mexico scrambling before Santiago covered up.

McLeod was forced to make a sprawling save in the 10th minute after a dangerous cross from the left fell to Guadalupe Worbis in close.

Baxter, fomerly Britanny Timko prior to her marriage this summer, put the ball in the back of the Mexican goal behind Santiago in the 13th minute, but she was ruled offside.

McLeod had to be sharp again in the 15th when Worbis, far and away Mexico’s most dangerous threat in the first half, stepped around a Canadian defender and fired another shot on target.

Sinclair then rounded the Mexican ‘keeper a minute later, but couldn’t get her shot past an onrushing defender.

Wilkinson then limped off in the 28th minute and was substituted by Yekka, who picked up her second-ever cap for Canada.

Mexico had another dangerous cross in the 29th minute, but Zurrer did well to head the ball behind for a corner that Canada would deal with to end the threat.

Sunday’s game marked the national team’s first in Vancouver since a 3-1 victory over Mexico in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament that secured a spot at the 2012 London Olympics.

Canada would eventually go on to win bronze following a memorable extra-time loss to the United States in the semifinals.

Notes: Canada’s next game is Jan. 31 against the U.S. in friendly to be played in Frisco, Texas. … Herdman said on Friday that he expects Canada to book more international friendlies against top competition in 2014.