A draw before departing for Paris

In physical finale to friendly series, Canada controls game but Mexico denies them the win

- NEIL DAVIDSON

Canada's Janine Beckie battles for the ball with Mexico's Kimberly Rodriguez during a friendly match on Tuesday night at BMO Field.

Canada 1 Mexico 1

Canada played Mexico to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night in the physical finale of a two-game women’s soccer series.

Kadeisha Buchanan opened the scoring for ninth-ranked Canada and Jacqueline Ovalle replied for No. 31 Mexico, which is ranked third in CONCACAF after Canada and the fourth-ranked Americans.

The return leg of the Summer Send-Off Series was the Canadian women’s final game on home soil before defending their Olympic title at the Paris Games in less than two months. The game drew an enthusiastic announced crowd of 18,805, including a small but loud Mexican contingent, on a warm night at BMO Field.