When I think about the London 2012 Olympics, one specific memory comes to mind: the penalty on Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod for holding the ball for more than six seconds during the women's soccer semifinal against the U.S.

It was a call I had never seen before in my almost 30 years of playing, watching, and writing about soccer. My children and I sat shocked at what happened. We watched McLeod, in her signature headband, continue to play with strength and a dedication that endeared her to the country, and the world of women's football.

Canada went on to win a bronze medal, and it's a moment that felt like the nation galvanized their support for the women's national team.

For years I thought about how McLeod handled that situation with tenacity and dedication. McLeod, who hails f

See Full Page