Carson, CA (My Sportsbook) - They promised themselves they wouldn't go out without a fight.

Long the caretakers of women's soccer -- Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy and the injured Brandi Chastain (out with a broken foot) -- were able to smile and perhaps wave good-bye to the grand World Cup stage as the host U.S. pridefully won the bronze medal with a 3-1 triumph over regional- rival Canada Saturday at the Home Depot Center.

Leaving everything on the field, the Americans, having to play back from an agonizing 3-0 defeat in the semifinal round to Germany, brought the house to its feet on several occasions as they cheered their beloved team to the win.

With the victory, the Americans improved to 26-3-3 all-time against their northern neighbors with an impressive 117 goals scored to just 25 conceded.

Seven minutes out from intermission, Shannon Boxx netted the match-winner for the U.S. when she skied to meet Mia Hamm's picture-perfect corner feed, heading home past Taryn Swiatek in the 52nd minute to thunderous applause.

Firey frontrunner Tiffeny Milbrett nearly netted the third goal of the afternoon for the States, but nailed the woodwork instead in the 73rd minute.

Christine Sinclair provided a scary moment for the U.S. when she was unlucky to hit her header attempt off the crossbar with 'keeper Briana Scurry beat 15 minutes from time.

Ten minutes from the final whistle, Milbrett refused to be denied when she roofed an insurance goal for the States -- her 99th international finish -- on a left-footed blast in traffic from inside the area after he initial shot was blocked.

All-world caps leader Lilly (260 appearances), a veteran of four World Cups, ripped the U.S. into the lead in the 22nd minute when she crashed a long-range effort from beyond the area into the net following a mis-clearance by the Canadian rearguard that dropped at her feet.

The goal proved reminiscent of her first of the competition against Sweden that soared past Caroline Joensson.

Christine Sinclair pulled the match level for the Canadians in the 38th minute when she slotted home past Scurry after slipping in past the U.S. defense.

Sinclair's goal was the fifth the Americans conceded at USA '03.

Canada went close to equalizing in the 30th minute when teenager Kara Lang hit the post on the slide but collided with Scurry in the process. But the American netminder, after testing her fitness, remained in the match to the tune of standing ovations.

The match was off to an entertaining start as Canada looked bright in the early going with Lang forcing Scurry to get a fingertip to the ball to keep it off the frame in the third minute.

Cindy Parlow went close in the 12th minute when she headed on a curling cross from the left from Hamm, but her offering glanced just wide of the far post.

The Americans have never finished lower than third in a World Cup or Olympic competition (claiming a gold in '96 and a silver in 2000), while the Canadians have already far surpassed pre-tournament expectations, failing to ever advance out of the first round before their stellar 2003 performance.

Germany and Sweden will battle for the World Cup title Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Home Depot Center.

MATCH NOTES: The Americans won the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991, took third prize in 1995 and claimed the ultimate trophy again in 1999. Canada failed to register more than a single point in both 1995 and 1999. The Americans possess a 21-2-1 (four appearances) record in World Cup play. Canada is 3-7-2 (three appearances).