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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." Detroit Tigers Shirts . Thats how the Ravens won when Ryan was their defensive co-ordinator from 2005-08, and that is precisely the formula Baltimore used to beat Ryans New York Jets on Sunday. Stitched Tigers Jerseys . - After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert. https://www.cheaptigers.com/. Warren made six birdies and a bogey for a 5-under total of 139 to sit one shot ahead of Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who carded a 69. David Horsey of England was also on 5 under through 15 holes to join Warren atop the leaderboard before play was stopped. Detroit Tigers Gear .com Tour title, closing with a 6-under 64 for a four-stroke victory. The 22-year-old former North Texas player finished at 12-under 268 at Panama Golf Club and earned $112,500 to jump from seventh to second on the money list with $171,500. Tigers Jerseys China . -- Wes Welker is unlikely to suit up for Denvers game Thursday against San Diego after leaving Sundays win over Tennessee with his second concussion in four games. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Tony Romo enjoyed the view from the bench for the biggest plays in a win for the Dallas Cowboys. Dwayne Harris returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown and set up another score with a 90-yard kickoff return, helping the Cowboys hand Robert Griffin III his first loss in his home state with a 31-16 victory against the Washington Redskins on Sunday night. Romo had just 170 yards passing a week after he threw a costly interception during a 506-yard performance, setting up the winning field goal for Denver in a wild 51-48 loss to the Broncos. The Cowboys said all week they had Romos back as their quarterback faced another round of criticism over late-game flubs. Harris showed it, as did Kyle Wilber and the rest of a depleted Dallas defensive line that lost DeMarcus Ware to a quad injury in the second quarter. "Dwayne did a great job and almost allowed us to kind of just sit over there as an offensive unit and rack up all his yards as if we did it without doing much work," said Romo, who made Harris long kickoff return pay off with his only touchdown pass of the night a week after throwing five. Harris had 222 total return yards and Wilber forced and recovered a fumble on a sack of Griffin that left the Cowboys needing just 3 yards for a clinching score in the fourth quarter. "Dwayne did a fantastic job," Dallas coach Jason Garrett said. "Talk about making difference-making plays in the game." The Cowboys (3-3) gave owner Jerry Jones a win on his 71st birthday and kept the defending NFC East champion Redskins (1-4) from building any momentum after a win and a bye following an 0-3 start. "Its a great way to win a game," Jones said. "Boy well take it." Joseph Randle, playing because running back DeMarco Murray was out with a sprained left knee, got his first career touchdown after Wilbers big play. He scored from the 1 when he stayed on his feet with a defender draped over him and was pushed into the end zone by centre and fellow rookie Travis Frederick for a 31-16 lead. Harris punt return gave Dallas a 14-3 lead in the second quarter, and the big kickoff return came after Kai Forbaths third field goal pulled Washington to 14-9 in the third. "They make my job so much easier when they block," Harris said. "I give them all the credit. We worked so hard in practice and it showed in the game.&quuot; Romo finished the job after Harris key kickoff return.dddddddddddd He stepped out of a potential sack and threw off balance into the corner of the end zone, where Terrance Williams got two feet down just as he made the catch and was pushed out of bounds by E.J. Biggers for a 15-yard score and a 21-9 lead. Griffin, who was brilliant in a Thanksgiving win at the Cowboys as a rookie last year, said he was rejuvenated after a bye following the Redskins first win of the season against Oakland. And he looked it. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor had 246 yards passing and another 77 rushing as the Redskins outgained Dallas 433 to 213. Alfred Morris, who had a career-high 200 yards rushing when the Redskins beat the Cowboys in a playoffs-or-bust finale last year, was held in check before a 45-yard touchdown run trimmed Dallas lead to 21-16 in the third quarter. Morris finished with 81 yards. Morris touchdown came a play after safety Barry Church was penalized for unnecessary roughness when he hit Griffin as the quarterback scrambled out of bounds. That was the second time in the third quarter that Church was penalized 15 yards for a hit on Griffin along the sideline. Murray ran 4 yards for a touchdown on Dallas opening drive, but left early in the second quarter with a sprained left knee. The Cowboys also lost Ware before halftime. Redskins linebacker Bryan Kehl left with a sprained left knee, and cornerback David Amerson was ruled out after sustaining a concussion. There were flags along the Redskins sideline after Harris punt return with 2:26 left in the first half. But the penalty was for someone not in uniform on the Redskins bench inadvertently bumping into an official during the play. The score stood and the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was enforced on the kickoff. Another Washington penalty had provided Harris with a second chance at a return. The Redskins were flagged for illegal motion, and Dallas accepted the penalty that forced them to kick again, setting up the fifth-longest punt return in Cowboys history. NOTES: The Cowboys sacked Griffin three times after getting just one sack combined the past two games against Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning. ... Redskins LB Rob Jackson intercepted Romo in the first half. He had the clinching interception in last years finale when Romo had a chance to lead a tying or winning drive late in the game. ' ' '