As I sit down to begin drafting this piece, on Canada Day, of all days, I begin to reflect on what a wildly interesting tapestry of melodrama and sporting excellence the Canadian soccer scene has been over the last few years.
From an outsider’s perspective, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s been all sunshine and roses in the Great White North; and on the pitch you’d be right. With the CANWNT achieving Olympic bronze last summer and with they male counterparts more than doing themselves justice in Doha last year this truly is the golden age of the beautiful game in Canada. At least on the pitch. Off the pitch it’s an entirely different story.
The success of both Bev Priestman’s CANWT and John Herdman’s CANMT are both underpinned by another rambunctious disagreement over equal pay. Ugh. You’d think, with Canada Soccer never having had it this good, they’d do the right thing and pay these athletes what they deserve. Still, this is not a team that withers in the face of adversity. And neither does Shelina Zadorsky.
Transatlantic moves
Tottenham Hotspur’s Zadorsky is no stranger to adversity. Having seen her number of starts steadily dwindle for the Canadians, she will be hoping to play more than a fleeting role on the field during this World Cup. Plagued by injuries, Covid-19 and a pandemic related disruption; which might be underselling suddenly moving countries during the world’s worst public health crisis in 100 years… But, more on that later.
It’s been a challenging time for one of Canada’s most experienced players.
In August of 2020, with the world still very much in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Zadorsky made the move to North London from the Orlando Pride. It was a move that made a lot of sense for Zadorsky, at least in a footballing sense. The 2020 season was basically non-existent for the Pride. And it’s a move that’s worked out for both sides. Zadorsky has amassed 66 appearances for Tottenham and has become an integral part of the North London club’s defence.
Things haven’t always been plain sailing for Zadorsky at Spurs, however…
A challenging year in North London
It’s been a tough season for both Zadorsky and Tottenham. Zadorsky had more than her share of injury problems, making only 13 appearances in the 22 game WSL season as Tottenham flirted with the Championship for long periods.
“In my own experience over the last three-and-a-half months, I have been dealing with health challenges relating to COVID, illness, fatigue and honestly every sick symptom you can name,” Zadorsky posted on her Twitter account in April. “First let me say this is not a poor victim-me story, nor is it to say that people haven’t gone through MUCH WORSE than I can probably ever relate to. However, it’s simply where I am at. And secondly, I’ve found that there’s great agony in bearing an untold story inside of you.”
Covid-19
“In mid December I found out I had covid at the end of a three game week. Unfortunate timing, after playing sick through all three matches. No one’s fault, really just poor luck. My club and I figured I needed a break during Christmas, and so for the first time in my career we decided I “deserved” six days off. Deserved is in quotations because I usually don’t allow myself a reset like this, being obsessed with progression, as most people would know about me. Truly, I cannot remember the last time I took six consecutive days off. I found some peace with my family while also feeling the highs and lows of Christmas time that can affect so many families, whether those with divorce, addiction, grief or any other strains that play a very real role.”
Fast forward to getting back to training in the new year. The amount of flus and colds I picked up could not be counted on one hand. But like any competitor, you find a way. You play games at 25% of yourself because you feel a responsibility, actually you crave this responsibility to perform for yourself and for your team. You brave the smile, you downplay how sick you feel, and you march on. Meanwhile, only the people who are closest to you know your energy is depleting and they take the brunt of that downfall.”
— Shelina Zadorsky (@Shelina4) April 4, 2023
An even more challenging end to the season
It was a difficult end to the season as well for Zadorsky, as she fought her way back to fitness she started 1 of Tottenham’s last 4 games, playing 90 minutes in a 3-0 defeat to title chasing Manchester United, who are, rather ironically, managed by Zadorsky’s former gaffer in Orlando; Marc Skinner. She was on the bench for the other 3 games, including the curtain call 4-1 win over Reading.
Coming off of her injury lay off… She’s not exactly had the best preparation. Still, that won’t deter Zadorsky. It’s not in her nature.
New beginnings
In some ways, the World Cup will represent a clean slate for Zadorsky. A chance to get back to her best form.
If selected that is.
As someone who has been capped 89 times by her country, her experience could prove invaluable, even though she’s far from guaranteed a starting berth when Canada get their campaign up and running against Nigeria in Melbourne.
Whatever happens come opening day Down Under, you know Shelina Zadorsky won’t shy away from the challenge.
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