The reigning Olympic champions have been busy in the headlines and news media for their fight of equity pay with their federation. Gone unpaid throughout the entirety of 2022, followed by announced cuts at the start of the year, the Canucks have had to put multiple battles off the field demanding what they deserve, which is unequivocally better that what Canada Soccer has supplied them with.
With settlements in negotiation, The Canadian Women’s National Team is ready to podium yet another competition, this time, for the the first time ever at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Younger than captain Christine Sinclair, 37-year old head coach Bev Priestman was appointed to the Canadian side in 2020 after a two year spell in England working with the Lionesses youth teams and serving as Phil Neville’s assistant coach, most memorably at the 2019 World Cup. Having worked almost a decade with Canada’s under-17 and under-20 teams prior, the appointment seemed like a fit one. Various players such as Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso got their first youth call up under Bev and were massively developed under her, were now regulars in the senior squad. Further, Priestman’s emphasis on defensive stability, values of bravery and belief as well as appreciate for studied footage hit the nail on the head as to what Canada was looking for.
Only a few months into her management, the re-arranged Olympics kicked off and her mind was set on Gold. The maple leaf had won two previous Bronze medals, and it was time to aim for higher. Wins in the knockout stages against top opposition Brazil, USWNT, and Sweden secured the the desired golden medal. Preistman’s frustrating defending topped with midfield discipline and attacking diversity was the holy trinity of the special yet unique journey, as COVID-19 restriction were looming.
"I'm so excited to name this squad." 🫡
Bev Priestman speaks about how difficult decisions show how competitive and exciting @CANWNT's Preparation Camp roster is.#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/JolpMr9r8c
— CAN Soccer’s WNT (@CANWNT) June 8, 2023
Since then, Canada has gone undefeated against the likes of Germany, England, Spain and won silver after a narrow loss to the USWNT at the 2022 CONCACAF final. This year’s results have been a mixed bag as the athletes have been forced to play certain friendlies after a law suit threat from the federation if a player strike was to go through, inadequate resources for travel and court appearances fighting for better, has presented too many distractions. However, the players are set to keep off the field distractions outside the training camp as they continue to stay focused only on what they can control, which is their performance on the pitch.
Injuries’ have stolen the conversation around every nation and Canada are no exception that. Key veteran of the squad Janine Beckie joined the almost full ACL club earlier this year, confirming her absence from the World Cup. Teammates Desiree Scott, Nichelle Prince and Deanne Rose have had season long injuries respectively, presenting tough fitness questions for who will be healthy enough to make the full 23 player squad. Picking the final roster is a challenge Bev is happy to see, as it translates to a bigger pool and a stronger competition than ever before. Historically, it was not all that hard for Canada to decide which 23 players they wanted to call up given the thinned out set of players the nation was producing.
Squad Numbers locked in 👕🔒
Secure yours: https://t.co/vqyDhK7KsR#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/R2EE71oWUY
— CAN Soccer’s WNT (@CANWNT) July 18, 2023
Now, with a roster deeper than ever and a perfect balance between veterans and youngsters, the red kitted team wants to have a deep run at the World Cup. On form forwards Jordyn Huitema and Evelyne Viens simply can’t stop scoring for their respective clubs. Impressively, the set of goals displayed have been very diverse ranging from counterattacks, off set pieces, out the box finished or solo runs in to the box. It will be crucial for Priestman to assure their fine work continues for the maple leaf in Australia for forward success. In the middle, GOAT Christine Sinclair steps into her sixth world cup appearance taking with her knowledge and experienced only matched by the like of opposition legend, Marta.
Her successor and so often called “baby goat” Jessie Fleming will be looking to produce a creative display in the ’10’ role with her golden play making skills. Though a below average set of performances for the star at Chelsea this season due to a lack of opportunities, Fleming’s consistency is superb for Canada. Her short pass work and link-up play has been sharpened neatly since Priestman has come in. The head coach has also shown incredible trust in the player allowing depending on her for big games and bog moments, naturally cueing her the armband in a recent outings.
We cannot forget her partner in crime Julia Grosso who recently names Serie A midfielder of the year after an incredible crucial run for Juventus. Her intelligent ball IQ resembles the likes of Arsenal’s Kim little, especially with her flawless ability to regroup the midfield and relief pressure when getting pressed by opposition. Grosso is expected to have an abundance of minutes for Priestman’s side as she also presents flexibility in position, either being deployed in the ‘6’,’8′, as a part of a double or single picot. Going to her second world cup, she will have the change to make her first appearance at the big stage.
Canada’s run has been an average one in the World Cup with their best finish in fourth, back in the 2003 USA edition, also Sinclair’s first World Cup. Two group stage exist along with a quarter final appearance followed, with most recently a round of sixteen loss to Sweden in 2019. This summer, Canada will face Co-hosts Australia, Republic of Ireland and Nigeria in Group B, also now knows as “group of death”. It’s been awarded such title given the extreme tough level of competition drawn in together, and Canada’s presence is particularly a huge influence to that.
The Canadian’s have entered every single major tournaments as underdogs, and the Tokyo Olympics showed us a scary side that thrived under such environment. This summer, despite a long federation fight off the pitch, the Canucks are coming with an added layer of motivational nd fire under their belly. The progression Bev Priestman has put the group through continues to go under the radar, but the on form players and Christine Sinclair will make sure the Maple leaf does not.
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