Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
CARSON, Calif. — The best player in Canadian soccer history, Christine Sinclair, is headed back to the Olympics at age 36. Her ticket was punched by her heir apparent, Jordyn Huitema, who is only 18.
The Canadian women’s soccer team qualified for its fourth straight Olympics on Friday by beating Costa Rica, 1-0, in the semifinals of the Concacaf qualifying tournament.
Huitema provided the only goal, breaking through after a feisty — and surprisingly competitive — first 71 minutes. Her goal was at once accidental and clinical. Meeting a driven cross from Kadeisha Buchanan in the goal mouth, Huitema calmly redirected the ball toward the left post with her left foot — only to see it carom right back to her.