Canada and U.S. Claim Wins in First SheBelieves Cup Matches

In the opening matchday of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, Seattle Reign FC had three players earn significant minutes with their national teams – Jordyn Huitema with Canada and Maddie Dahlien and Claudia Dickey for the United States. 

Both teams secured all three points from their matches, setting up an exciting matchday this Wednesday, as the United States and Canada go head-to-head. 

Canada vs. Colombia 

Canada played first, taking on Colombia in opening match of the competition. Huitema earned the start for the Canadians and played the entire match, anchoring a frontline that relentlessly pressured Colombia through the entire 4-1 win. 

The first half hour of the match was largely controlled by Canada, but neither team managed a shot on goal. That is, until the 31st minute, when Vanessa Gilles finally broke the deadlock, simultaneously ending Canada’s 485-minute goalscoring drought. 

Huitema, forcing frequent turnovers from the opponents, was an aerial threat, nearly scoring a goal of her own as she got her head on the end of a cross, but the shot was just off target. 

In the second half of the match, the physicality increased, upping the ante all over the pitch. Around the 67th minute, Huitema was fouled just outside of the 18-yard box, earning a free kick for her nation. Janine Sonis stepped up to take the free kick and tucked it inside the far post, doubling Canada’s lead. 

Canada added another goal in the 73rd minute, courtesy of substitute Sydney Collins, but Colombia didn’t back down, as they drew a penalty kick in in the final 10 minutes of the match. Leicy Santos confidently took her place at the penalty spot and dispatched her kick into the back of the net. 

As the match was coming to a close, Canada scored one final goal, this time from substitute Nichelle Prince in the 90th minute to put the game firmly out of reach for Colombia. 

U.S.A. vs. Argentina 

Both Maddie Dahlien and Claudia Dickey earned a start for the United States against Argentina en route to a 2-0 win. Dickey recorded a full 90 minutes in goal, while Dahlien put in a 45-minute shift at left back. Jordyn Bugg, who was initially called up as part of the SheBelieves Cup roster, exited camp earlier this week, with a hamstring injury. 

For Dahlien, the appearance marked her first start for the United States in her second camp and third cap. Much like her previous performances, Dahlien did well to use her speed up and down the left side of the field.  

She used her pace and skill to challenge Argentina’s defense, winning possession for the United States and blazing forward in the attacking third of the field. 

In the defensive half of the field, Dickey did well to protect the net, making it clear early on that Argentina would need to do a lot to get the ball past her. In the 16th minute, she defended a close-range shot off a corner kick and came up with a block, but the play was whistled offside. 

The game-deciding goal was scored by Lindsey Heaps in the 19th minute of the match, when she calmly received the ball at the top of the box and shifted it across her body to release a powerful and precise shot to the near post. 

After going into halftime up 1-0, Dickey once again showed up for the United States in the 52nd minute of the match, as she stopped another close-range shot. Just four minutes later, Jaedyn Shaw notched another goal for the U.S., doubling their tally with her curling shot to the right side of the net. 

The United States saw the rest of the match through, enduring a physical battle to secure three points in the match. 

Next up in the SheBelieves Cup, the United States and Canada go head-to-head! Tune in to the action this Wednesday, March 4 at 3:45 p.m. PT.