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." cheap nfl jerseys . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. cheap nfl jerseys china . Earnshaw went on Twitter to break the news to Tornto FC followers on Friday. http://www.chooserjerseys.com/. Dmitry Tursunov of Russia defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 6-3, 6-4 at the clay-court event, Daniel Brands beat Tobias Kamke 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in an all-German match, and Marinko Matosevic of Australia beat German wild card Kevin Krawietz 6-2, 6-4. cheap nfl jerseys paypal . The wide receiver was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list Saturday, ending his season with two games left and after he missed practice time this week for "personal reasons. cheap nfl jerseys free shipping . Williams, the defending champion, had no trouble against Kerber, who also lost to the American 6-4, 6-1 in the round-robin at this event last year. Kerber was the only player to beat Williams last year - in Cincinnati - after the Americans first-round ouster at the French Open.Manhattan, KS (Sports Network) - Collin Klein rushed for 45 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 112 yards on 11-of-16 passing, leading No. 20 Kansas State to a 24-17 victory over Missouri Saturday afternoon. John Hubert had a big day on the ground for the Wildcats, (5-0, 2-0 Big 12), rushing 26 times for 126 yards. Kansas State is off to its first 5-0 start since the 2000 season. Sheldon Smith caught four passes for 29 yards and Chris Harper hauled in two balls for 37 yards. James Franklin completed 19-of-35 pass attempts for 214 yards and one interception for the Tigers (2-3, 0-2). He ran 11 times for 46 yards and one score. Henry Josey rushed 12 times for 55 yards and one touchdown, while Michael Egnew snagged eight passes for 73 yards. Things started off well for the Kansas State defense, as they intercepted Franklin on the first play of the game. The offense took over with excellent field position, starting from the Missouri 21-yard line. K-State moved down to the two before Klein bowled his way into the end zone on 3rd-and-1 to give the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead. Kansas State extended its lead to 10-0 on its second possession. This time, the offense marched 51 yards on 12 plays, eating up over 6 1/2 minutes of game time before Anthony Cantele connected on a 20-yard field goal. Missouri got on the board on its first possession of the second quarter when the Tigers drove 58 yards in 12 plays and capped the march with a 32-yard field goal by Grant Ressel to make it 10-3. Early in the third stanza, Kansas State widened its lead to 17-3. Starting from their own 20, the Wildcats were able to move the ball up to the 43 before setting up for a punt on 4th-and-12. Thats where they got a little help.dddddddddddd On the play, Missouri was flagged for running into K-State punter Ryan Doerr. The penalty moved the ball into Tigers territory at the 42. From there, Kansas State used six rushing plays to get down to the Missouri three before Klein pushed his way into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown run and a 17-3 K- State lead. The Wildcats again extended their lead early in the fourth quarter. Following a Missouri three-and-out, Tramaine Thompson returned the punt 26 yards into Tigers territory and down to the 36. From there, a 10-yard completion to Smith on 2nd-and-12 and a 21-yard burst by Hubert sparked the Kansas State offense as it worked its way down to the Missouri one-yard line before Klein snuck into the end zone for a one-yard score and a 24-3 margin. On the ensuing drive, the Tigers finally put together some cohesive offense, going 79 yards in 12 plays before Josey plowed his way through the line and into the end zone on fourth down, pulling Missouri to within 24-10. With just over five minutes to go in the game, Missouri made it a one-score game when Franklin punched the ball across the goal line from the one-yard line to make it 24-17, but Kansas state was able to keep the ball for the remaining five minutes to hold onto the win. Game Notes The loss snapped Missouris five-game winning streak against Kansas State. The Tigers still own a 60-32-5 series edge, including last years 38-28 verdict in Columbia...Ressel struggled, connecting on only one of his three field goal attempts...Kansas State converted 7-of-18 third downs, while Missouri converted only four of their 13 third down situations...Missouri defensive lineman Jacquies Smith finished with two sacks. ' ' '