FIFA Women's World Cup: 3 things to know for Canada vs. Switzerland
All on the line for host nation against 19th-ranked Swiss
In only their second appearance in the World Cup knockout round of 16, everything will be on the line for Canada when they face Switzerland Sunday at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT).
Here are 3 things to know to get you set for the host nation's first pivotal match:
All statistics courtesy of Infostrada Sports
Unfamiliar foe
The two teams have never met in a competitive game, but eighth-ranked Canada is undefeated in their four previous friendlies, with three wins and a single draw.
It has been over two years since the last match in March 2013, where Canada took a 2-0 victory in the group phase at the Cyprus Cup.
Coincidentally, the two goal scorers were Sophie Schmidt and Diana Matheson, who could both play in the all-important test against the 19th-ranked Swiss despite suffering injuries in the group stage.
If Canada can pull off a victory, it will end a 10-game winless streak against European rivals.
Scoring key issue for Canada
Canada remains unbeaten after a win over China and draws against New Zealand and Netherlands. If they advance Sunday, it will be the first time in team history that they have gone four in a row at the World Cup without a loss.
Though they claimed Group A, Canada managed to score just two goals in their opening three games.
The only team to score fewer goals was Ecuador, who lost all three of their Group C games, including a 10-1 blowout at the hands of the Swiss.
Captain Christine Sinclair has half of Canada's goals, scoring against China in the dying minutes of the competition opener, which made her the team's all-time scoring leader with eight in a record-tying four World Cup appearances.
Christine Sinclair scores a crucial injury time penalty to help Canada beat China 1-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN?src=hash">#CAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWC?src=hash">#WWC</a> <a href="https://t.co/bfJKWjhXvo">https://t.co/bfJKWjhXvo</a>
—@worldsoccertalkMidfielder Ashley Lawrence scored Canada's other goal in a 1-1 draw against Netherlands on Monday.
Single victory determined Swiss success
Switzerland is one of three first-timers to advance, along with Cameroon and Netherlands. That lone victory over Ecuador was good enough for a third-place finish in Group C.
They seem to have goal scoring figured out. However, all but one of their 11 goals was scored in the same game, which included two own goals. They are only the second country, after Germany, to get more than ten in a single game.
The strength of their match against Ecuador has determined Switzerland's path to the round of 16, but Canada certainly won't be as easy a task.
Fabienne Humm and Ramona Bachmann are the top scorers, with three goals apiece that were recorded in the Ecuador rout.