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WINNIPEG -- Some played together in college, others may have played on the same professional teams, but Thursday evening those friendships get pushed aside as Canada once again tries to beat the United States in womens soccer. Its something the Canadians havent managed since 2001 but this time theyll have a home crowd edging close to 30,000 to cheer them on at Investors Group Field, the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "Its a game that Canada wont dominate," Canadian coach John Herdman said Wednesday after their final practice before the game. "Were not going to have 700 shots and 700 crosses, so the fans have got to be ready to really get behind us when we need (them). We know these games are always tough tight games, hopefully." In club and varsity soccer, Canadians and Americans play side-by-side. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, for example, is an attack partner of American star Alex Morgan on Portland Thorns FC of the National Womens Soccer League. But internationally its a different story as the neighbouring countries have developed a strong rivalry. Canada is ranked seventh in the world in womens soccer and the U.S. sits at No. 1, but American midfielder Lauren Holiday suggests those numbers dont necessarily reflect the way things play out on the field. "Every game is such a battle, you never know whos going to win," says Holiday. "Every time we play them its such a fierce competition that . . . anything can happen." The rivalry intensified after Canadas semifinal loss to the United States at the last Olympics. The U.S. team went on to win gold but Canada won the bronze medal, an event which has meant a lot for womens soccer. Herdman says the country now needs to do more capitalize on the strong base of players now developing across Canada. "Weve got the third largest playing population in the world and we cant produce a consistent podium team." He says there are 350,000 girls playing soccer in Canada, compared with just 30,000 in perennial contender Japan. This game is just a friendly but it will give both national teams another chance to see how they stack up against a top tier opponent prior to next years Womens World Cup. And while Canada wont be playing there, the U.S. team might end up playing in Winnipeg, one of the venues for the 2015 event also being held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton. Herdman also said jokingly that this game is basically dedicated to midfielder Desiree Scott, a Winnipeg native who joined him at the final pre-game news conference. She will be playing live in front of her family for the first time in her national team career. "I think its going to be the Desi Scott show tomorrow," said Herdman. "I think the whole of Manitobas going to come and see her in action. . . "Its a proud moment for the team. Weve all got a massive smile on our face cause the local girl gets to come home. Can you imagine playing in front of your mom and your family for the first time, no pressure Des." Scott likes the buzz. "Im just trying to thrive off the excitement of playing at home," said Scott, nicknamed "The Destroyer." "And being in front of my family and friends, I think it will definitely give me that energy." For both Herdman and interim head U.S. coach Jill Ellis, this is very much about preparing for the World Cup. "I think for our players its just a great opportunity to play against a quality opponent," said Ellis, U.S. Soccers director of development who took over when Tom Sermanni was fired last month. "Im just hoping the crowd now will get a real sense of whats coming in 2015," said Herdman. "This country will stop at some point. This team will make the country stop and everyone will tune in. Its just going to be an amazing experience for womens sport." Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Cheap Football Jerseys . On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations. http://www.wholesalejerseysfootballchina.com/. -- Arkansas didnt need a spectacular dunk to beat No. Discount Football Jerseys .com) - Mike Miller scored a season-high 21 points in a rare start and the Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from their worst loss of the season with a 95-91 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Cheap Jerseys China . He, the 25-year-old Toronto backup net-minder and Manitoba native, would be making just his fourth start in the past 16 games against the Jets the following evening. It was the word of opportunity for Reimer, who has fallen into the role of backup, outmatched in recent weeks by Jonathan Bernier, his Quebec counterpart.ST. LOUIS -- Lance Lynn has been among the best first-half pitchers in the majors since cracking the St. Louis Cardinals rotation in 2011, reaching double-figure win totals before the All-Star break all three seasons. The Los Angeles Dodgers saw a pitcher determined to finish strong, too. Lynn won his third straight start Friday night, leading the Cardinals to a 3-2 victory. "Im not worried about the rest of the season," Lynn said. "Im just worried about my next start -- whenever that may be." Lynn is 33-15 with a 3.54 ERA before the All-Star break and 12-9 with a 3.91 ERA after the break. Hes been among the pitchers getting the most run support, too. Manager Mike Matheny repeated his assertion that Lynn (11-6) is "one of the most underrated pitchers in the game." "Despite what anybody else thinks, hes got a lot of wins and theres a reason," Matheny said. "Its because hes got great stuff." Matt Holliday homered and doubled with three RBIs in support of Lynn. Kolten Wong had two hits and scored on both of Hollidays RBI hits for the Cardinals against the team they beat in the NLCS last fall. They have won six of eight and remained a game behind the Brewers for the NL Central lead. "Really, I just kept my approach simple and tried to hit the ball hard back through the middle of the field," Holliday said. "I dont get ahead of myself. Ive learned playing this long to take this thing day to day." A.J. Ellis had an RBI double for the Dodgers, battling the Giants for the NL West lead. They remained offensively challenged coming out of the All-Star break, totalling 10 runs the last six games. Hollidays seventh homer, estimated at 435 feet to straightaway centre, came off Dan Haren (8-7). Lynn gave up two runs on four hits in six-plus innings. He struck out nine and worked around four walks, which tied his season high. Lynn has 44 wins the last three seasons, one behind Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright for most in the league. He bounced back from season worsts of two innings and sixx earned runs at Los Angeles on June 28 before leaving with a blister.dddddddddddd "I thought he used his breaking ball more. I dont think he used his curveball in L.A. hardly at all," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "It looked like it took us a while to get going." Haren piled up 99 pitches in 4 2-3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, and is among the National League leaders with 20 homers allowed. Hes totalled 8 2-3 innings his last two starts and has lost his last three outings overall. "I made a bad pitch to Holliday," Haren said. "I actually didnt make that many mistakes. It seemed like everything they hit in the air was falling, and there was nothing I could do." The Dodgers left the bases loaded in the third when Matt Kemp struck out. The Cardinals stranded three in the fourth when Lynn bounced out after an intentional walk to Tony Cruz. Consecutive doubles by Juan Uribe and Ellis leading off the seventh chased Lynn. Ellis scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one. The Dodgers stranded two against Pat Neshek in the eighth and Trevor Rosenthal had two strikeouts in a perfect ninth for his 29th save in 33 chances. NOTES: The pairing for Saturday is Zack Greinke (11-5, 2.73), coming off his second All-Star nod, against Joe Kelly (1-1, 3.44), making his second start coming off the DL from a hamstring injury. Greinke has won his last four starts against the Cardinals and is 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA for his career against them. ... Mattingly didnt mind Kemp saying he was open to a trade if he didnt get regular playing time in a published report during the break. "The headline catches your eye and you read it and you go, Its not that big of a deal," Mattingly said. Mattingly also didnt mind that Kemp wanted to play centre field, saying "Thats fine, he can view himself however he wants. Im playing him in left." ... Holliday reached 1,000 career RBIs last month. ... The Cardinals have won their first home game after the All-Star break seven straight seasons. ' ' '