f1 news update: US women tie Canada in 1st match since World Cup

Wambach's goal gives Herdman a draw in his coaching debut

Peter Aiken / Getty Images

Abby Wambach scores on a penalty kick. Wambach's goal helped the United States women's soccer team tie Canada, 1-1, on Saturday in Kansas City, Kan.

updated 11:37 p.m. ET Sept. 17, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The United States had hoped for a winning return to international competition after the bitter disappointment of losing the World Cup final to Japan on penalty kicks.

The Americans had to settle for extending their long unbeaten streak against a familiar opponent.

Abby Wambach converted an early penalty kick and the U.S. drew with Canada 1-1 after Melissa Tancredi equalized late in the first half Saturday night.

Canada ended a seven-match losing streak to the U.S. in Jon Herdmann's coaching debut. Still, the Americans ? whose coach, Pia Sundhage, began experimenting with a one-forward system only this week ? ran their unbeaten string in the series to 23 matches.

The switch to a 4-3-2-1 setup produced some challenges but should open up the U.S. offense, defender Christie Rampone said.

"I think the last part of it will be how do we defend after we lose it," said Rampone, who was beaten on Tancredi's equalizer. "I think we lost a lot of balls. On the fitness side, we took some time off before getting back together, but I really like the system and think it is going to be very positive for us."

Wambach's penalty came in the 10th minute, after Emily Zurrer was called for a handball in the area. Wambach has one goal in each of the United States' last five matches.

In the 42nd minute, Tancredi slipped behind Rampone to take a long through ball from Kelly Parker and slot it just out of reach of diving U.S. keeper Hope Solo.

"It wasn't the best defense on any of our parts," said Solo, who was subbed out at halftime for Nicole Barnhart.

Tancredi has scored in back-to-back matches against the U.S., recording Canada's goal in the Americans' 2-1 victory on Jan. 22 in the Four Nations Cup in China.

The U.S. had several chances to retake the lead, but Lauren Cheney shot just over the bar in the 45th minute and Canadian keeper Erin McLeod made seven saves to preserve the draw.

"We executed our game plan that we practiced all week," Canadian midfielder Chelsea Stewart said. "It's nice to come back and put in a performance like that."

Canada's best chance to win came in the 90th minute, when Lauren Sesselmann found herself 6 yards in front of an open goal but put the ball over the crossbar.

Still, the result satisfied Canada's new coach.

"I've been working with them for five days," said Herdmann, who took over from Carolina Morace after Canada finished last of 16 teams in Germany this summer. "I didn't pick this team for this event, didn't know the players from Adam, and this is what they can produce. So there are exciting times ahead."

The U.S. roster for Saturday's game ? minus midfielder Shannon Boxx, who will rejoin the team for Thursday's game against Canada in Portland, Ore. ? was identical to its World Cup roster.

Canada went with a mix of World Cup players and newcomers.

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